3 weeks ago

E20 petrol rollout backed by scientific studies, says Centre

India's government uses a kind of fuel called E20 petrol, which is petrol mixed with 20 percent ethanol made from plants.

Some people wondered if this fuel could hurt car engines.

The government told Parliament that many scientists and car companies tested this fuel very carefully.

They checked whether engines last a long time, whether cars start well in cold weather, and whether the fuel could damage car parts.

The tests were done by expert groups like ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil.

A special committee was set up in 2020 to study the fuel before it was introduced.

The committee looked at whether cars could use the fuel and how much distance cars could travel.

The experts said the fuel is safe to use if the rules are followed.

They also said older cars would not be badly affected.

So the government says it is okay to use E20 petrol.

Key facts

Fuel: E20 petrol (petrol with 20% ethanol blending)
Announced by: Ministry of Heavy Industries in a written reply to Parliament
Key finding: E20 fuel is safe for use under prescribed standards; no significant adverse impact on legacy vehicles
Evaluation parameters: Engine durability, drivability, cold-start performance, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, fuel system reliability, emissions and fuel efficiency
Testing bodies: ARAI, SIAM, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and automobile manufacturers
Committee: Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) constituted under NITI Aayog on December 26, 2020
Participants: Automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, testing agencies and oil marketing companies

thehansindia.com · 3 weeks ago