E20 Petrol Row: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Sunday clarified that recent reports claiming Bhutan declined a proposal to import E20 petrol from India are 'incorrect'.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry stated that no such offer was made by Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and that there is no proposal to export E20 petrol to Bhutan.
"Claims that Bhutan declined an offer to import E20 petrol from India are incorrect. No such offer has been made by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and there is no proposal for export of E20 petrol to Bhutan," read the post.
The ministry has further urged the public to rely on official information from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Oil Marketing Companies.
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Reports Of Bhutan 'Declining' India's E20 Petrol
This clarification comes after a report by The Bhutanese claimed that Bhutan had asked India to continue supplying conventional petrol rather than ethanol-blended petrol.
According to Bhutanese authorities, the country's ageing and inadequate fuel storage network is not equipped to handle ethanol-blended petrol.
Speaking to The Bhutanese, a Bhutan government official said, "Considering the existing condition and quality of several of the underground storage tanks, the import and handling of ethanol-blended fuel may pose challenges in ensuring fuel quality."
Furthermore, officials noted that Bhutan's mountainous terrain requires maximum engine power, raising concerns that E20 fuel may not deliver the consistent performance required for the country's steep roads.
The official added that because the storage tanks are underground, there is a higher risk of seepage, which could easily contaminate ethanol-blended fuel.
Bhutan already imports higher-grade petrol and diesel from India, which is more expensive than the standard fuel sold at domestic Indian retail outlets, India Today reported.
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E20 Petrol Row
This report comes amid an ongoing debate in India over the rollout of E20 petrol, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent conventional petrol. The E20 petrol has faced criticism from some motorists, particularly owners of petrol vehicles manufactured before 2023, who have reported lower fuel efficiency, increased engine wear and tear, and higher maintenance costs.
While the Indian government has acknowledged a marginal decrease in fuel efficiency, it stated that the blend improves acceleration and overall engine performance.