3 weeks ago
India denies US ethanol imports for fuel blending
Some people heard a rumor that India was going to buy ethanol from the United States to mix into its fuel.
The Indian government said that rumor is not true.
It said the ethanol used in fuel comes only from Indian farmers, who grow crops like sugarcane and maize.
The government also said it made no promises about American ethanol during trade talks with the United States.
Vehicles across India are already using E20 fuel, which is 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol.
A politician named Arvind Kejriwal said the government might also mix ethanol into diesel and airplane fuel.
But the minister in charge of civil aviation said that idea is completely false.
He explained that ethanol is not the same as special certified fuel used by planes.
So the government says the fuel people use will keep coming from Indian sources as before.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 6 August 2026 that media claims of India importing or planning to import large volumes of US ethanol for fuel blending are “baseless and factually incorrect.”
Ethanol used under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol Programme is “sourced entirely from domestic producers,” with no current import of ethanol for fuel blending from the US.
The government stated that no concessions or commitments relating to the import of ethanol for fuel blending were made in India-US trade discussions.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged the Centre plans to introduce ethanol blending in diesel and aviation turbine fuel and advised people to delay buying new petrol and diesel vehicles.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu rejected social media claims about ethanol blending with aviation turbine fuel as “completely false and irresponsible,” noting ethanol is distinct from internationally certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
- Who
- Government of India, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal
- What
- The government denies claims that India is importing or plans to import US ethanol for fuel blending and rejects suggestions of ethanol blending in diesel or aviation turbine fuel
- Where
- India
- When
- 6 August 2026
- Why
- To counter what it calls baseless media claims and political allegations, and to reassure consumers that ethanol supply remains fully domestic
Government of India
Opposition and media reports
Ethanol blending in diesel and aviation fuel
Government of India
There is no proposal to blend ethanol with diesel or aviation turbine fuel; Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu called such claims “completely false and irresponsible.”
Opposition and media reports
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged the Centre plans to introduce ethanol blending in diesel and aviation turbine fuel and advised people to hold off buying new petrol and diesel vehicles.
US ethanol imports
Government of India
There is no import of US ethanol for fuel blending and no concession or commitment was made in India-US trade discussions.
Opposition and media reports
Recent media claims suggested India is importing or intends to import large volumes of US ethanol for fuel blending.
Key facts
- Issuing body
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Statement date
- 6 August 2026
- Government position
- Claims of large-scale US ethanol imports are “baseless and factually incorrect”
- Ethanol source
- Entirely domestic Indian producers
- Programme
- Ethanol Blended with Petrol Programme
- E20 fuel blend
- 80 per cent petrol, 20 per cent ethanol
- Ethanol feedstocks
- Sugarcane, maize and other crops
- Position on ATF blending
- Claims called “completely false and irresponsible”; ethanol distinct from internationally certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Quotes
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu
Minister of Civil Aviation
“"no concessions or commitment relating to the import of ethanol for fuel blending from the US has been made in the India‑US trade discussions."”
financialexpress.com
“"completely false and irresponsible."”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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