Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: The central government on Friday addressed concerns in Parliament regarding the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, following months of debate over ethanol-blended petrol. The issue reached Parliament after widespread public concern, with many motorists claiming that the fuel reduces mileage, while others reported potential engine damage. In its response, the government provided clear findings regarding the performance standards and overall safety of E20 petrol.
'E20 Petrol Completely Safe For Use': Govt
The central government stated that lab and field tests conducted by government agencies, automobile manufacturers, and industry bodies have confirmed that E20 petrol is completely safe for use under prescribed standards, Jagran.com reported.
What Did The Study Reveal?
The ministry stated that an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), formed under NITI Aayog on December 26, 2020, evaluated the impact of ethanol blending on vehicle compatibility and mileage. Based on research conducted by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the evaluation found that ethanol-blended fuel causes no harm to vehicles when used within prescribed limits.
E20 Fuel Introduced After Thorough Validation
The ministry further stated that the E20 fuel was introduced only after thorough validation of the fuel system, engine strength, driving capacity, material compatibility, and emission performance.
"These studies have not revealed any adverse impact on the performance, durability, or material compatibility of older vehicles under specified operating conditions," the ministry was quoted as saying.
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E20 Fuel Row
The central government is promoting the use of ethanol-blended petrol to curb reliance on imported crude oil, utilising grains such as sugarcane, rice, and corn to manufacture ethanol. Under this initiative, the government is emphasising the use of E20 fuel, a mixture of 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol. However, the fuel has sparked widespread debate on social media platforms, with motorists reporting reduced mileage and potential damage to vehicle components.