Ethanol Blending

Only 4 cases of ethanol contamination reported so far, says Hardeep Puri

Of 2,000 fuel samples collected each day, only 4 cases of fuel contamination have been reported so far, oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted

E20 petrol meets quality norms, say OMCs after nationwide fuel tests

State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) said on Friday that additional nationwide testing of E20 petrol found no evidence to support claims of high moisture or chloride contamination, with fuel quality remaining within prescribed limits across the supply chain. The intensified testing followed recent media reports alleging the presence of moisture and chloride in E20 (20 per cent ethanol blended petrol). Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) in a joint statement said the exercise covered the entire supply chain and reaffirmed that fuel quality remained "consistently well within prescribed limits". "Contrary to certain assertions being made, there is no evidence of any alarm on account of fuel contamination validated by extensive and scientifically designed tests," the companies said. The three OMCs said the government has prescribed stringent chloride specifications for ethanol used in petrol blending a

India's ethanol blending drive backed by science: Brazil trade minister

Brazil's trade minister says India's ethanol blending programme is based on scientific research, while highlighting opportunities to expand crude oil exports and biofuel cooperation

Siam's E20 U-turn deepens debate over fuel quality and vehicle safety

The industry body first flagged chloride contamination and vehicle-part failures, but later withdrew its letter as India's ethanol policy became a wider political and commercial issue

No commitments relating to ethanol import from US under FTA talks: Govt

The government on Thursday said no concessions or commitments relating to the import of ethanol for fuel blending from the US have been made in the India-US trade pact discussions. India's fuel blending programme and ethanol procurement continue to be governed solely by the country's domestic policy requirements, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement. It said that recent claims in the media suggesting that India is importing and intends to import large quantities of ethanol from the US for fuel blending are baseless and factually incorrect. As per the domestic policy framework, it said, ethanol used for fuel blending under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol Programme is sourced entirely from domestic producers. There is no import of ethanol for fuel blending from the US, it added. "No concessions or commitments relating to the import of ethanol for fuel blending from the U.S. have been made in the India-US trade discussions. Accordingly, any suggestion of a policy ch

No proposal to blend ethanol with ATF, says Civil Aviation Minister Naidu

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday said there is no proposal to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) and that spreading misinformation on aviation safety creates needless anxiety among air travellers. His comments come against the backdrop of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claiming that the central government was planning to blend ethanol in ATF. "Sources indicate that the Modi government plans to mix ethanol in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Experts say that this could seriously compromise the safety of flights," Kejriwal said in a post on X. Naidu said the claim that the government plans to blend ethanol with ATF is completely false and irresponsible and added that there is no such proposal. "Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government's highest priority," the minister said in a post on X. Elaborating, Naidu said ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Kejriwal accuses Centre of forcing Siam to withdraw report on ethanol

The AAP chief claimed the government was promoting ethanol under US pressure, while the BJP cited SIAM's clarification to reject allegations of misinformation over E20 fuel quality

Siam withdraws letter flagging concern over contamination of E20 fuel

Auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has withdrawn a letter written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that had flagged concerns over contamination of E20 fuel that caused problems with vehicles citing the need for further authentication. In a statement, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said the "communication in question" was part of routine and ongoing technical deliberations that take place between various stakeholders, including industry bodies, oil marketing companies, auto OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and testing agencies. "Some numbers quoted in the communication need authentication through collection of elaborate data from various regions across the country followed by a comprehensive consultation with our member OEMs," the auto industry body said. It further said, "The referred numbers reported in the media need authentication as mentioned above and therefore SIAM is withdrawing its earlier ...

No policy to incentivise flex-fuel vehicles beyond E20: Government

The Ministry of Heavy Industries on Tuesday said it has not formulated any separate phased national policy to incentivise flex-fuel vehicles operating on fuel blended with "more than 20 per cent ethanol". The Heavy Industries Ministry also stated that it has not conducted any study regarding incentivization of flex-fuel and electric vehicles. The Centre has defended its ethanol blending programme, saying extensive testing and large-scale field experience had found no evidence that E20 (blended with 20 per cent ethanol) petrol causes abnormal engine wear, corrosion or reduced vehicle life. It has also argued that the programme has strengthened India's energy security and helped cushion consumers from global oil price volatility. "The government has adopted a balanced approach to the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, ensuring that water sustainability, food security and farmers' interests remain paramount," the ministry said. Under the National Policy on Biofuels, ethanol is .

Police stops Kejriwal, AAP leaders' march to PM residence over E20 fuel

Delhi Police on Tuesday stopped AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and other party leaders from marching towards the Prime Minister's residence with around 100 people to submit over 2.30 lakh petitions against E20 petrol, prompting them to stage a protest on Firoz Shah Road. Kejriwal, along with former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, AAP leader Jasmine Shah and other party leaders, sat on the road after being stopped by the police. The AAP had begun the march with around 100 people to submit the petitions, collected from people across the country, against the government's policy of promoting E20 petrol, alleging that the ethanol-blended fuel was adversely affecting vehicle owners. Addressing supporters before the march, Kejriwal said the party was carrying more than 2.30 lakh petitions signed by people from across the country and urged the government to listen to the concerns of crores of vehicle owners. "We are going to the Prime Minister's residence with over 2.30

Congress workers detained during protest over E20 fuel near Gadkari's home

Youth Congress workers held a protest in Nagpur on Monday on the issue of E20 fuel and attempted to march to the residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in order to 'gherao' it, but were stopped by the police, resulting in several participants being detained. The 'morcha' was held from Chitnivis Park Square in Mahal here till Gadkari's private residence in the same area, with Youth Congress workers shouting slogans about the unviability of E20 fuel. There was heavy deployment of police personnel near the Union minister's house along with barricades on the route, though protesters tried to climb over them to proceed. Several Congress workers were detained, police officials said. The Congress has been targeting Gadkari on the issue of E20 fuel claiming that his reply in Parliament on July 29 on the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol raises more questions than it answers. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday said Gadkari claims E20 has been rolled out after years of ...

E20 debate shifts into high gear amid protests and political heat

The AAP plans a march to the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow as opposition parties step up protests against blended petrol, Archis Mohan writes

Tehseen Poonawalla alleges house arrest ahead of march against E20 policy

Activist Tehseen Poonawalla on Saturday alleged that he was placed under house arrest, without any written order, in Greater Kailash by the Delhi Police ahead of his proposed solo march and hunger strike against the BJP-led Centre's E20 fuel policy. Poonawalla had announced on July 27 that he would walk alone from APJ Abdul Kalam Marg to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg - the site where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated - and observe a day-long hunger strike on Friday against the policy. Sharing several videos on his X account, Poonawalla claimed that around 9.30 am, about half an hour before he was scheduled to leave for the march, several Delhi Police personnel, including women officers, arrived at his house and stopped him from stepping out. He said that the police neither showed him any order nor provided any documents for detaining him. Poonawala further alleged that officers told him they were preventing him from leaving because thousands of people were expected to join the ..

Kejriwal demands choice between E20, pure petrol; announces march on Aug 4

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday demanded the government give the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel pumps and announced a march to the prime minister's residence on August 4 to submit petitions. Addressing a town hall style meeting on E20 fuel at the Constitution Club of India here, Kejriwal said he would collect petitions at noon on Monday and lead a march to Narendra Modi's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg with around 100 people. Kejriwal demanded that consumers be allowed to choose between E20 and regular petrol at fuel stations, and demanded lower prices for E20 mixed petrol, and a cut in petrol prices. The former Delhi chief minister also urged the government to make public the report that it cited to claim that E20 does not damage vehicles. "The Centre says studies have been conducted and E20 does not harm vehicles. I want them to share that report," he said. People from across states attended the event and shared their ...

Without ethanol blending, petrol would cost ₹125 per litre, says govt

The government defended its ethanol blending programme, saying it shielded consumers from global oil price shocks and rejected claims of taxpayer-funded subsidies

Mentioning ethanol levels not 'considered necessary' on receipts: Gadkari

Road Transport Minister says E20 is the only petrol sold at retail outlets nationwide, making separate display of ethanol blending levels unnecessary

E20 petrol may bring down vehicle mileage by up to 6%: Nitin Gadkari

Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday. The Union Minister, however, argued that tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and on-road vehicle tests have not shown any failures due to E20. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said E20 fuel provides better acceleration, improved ride quality and approximately 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel. Gadkari said a study to evaluate the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10 (Gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out jointly by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL). He said the study comprised of standard testing as per the respective certification requirements & customized test protocols developed along with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). "The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be ...

100-octane premium petrol sales double amid E20 vehicle damage concerns

Demand for 100-octane petrol has surged, particularly in Delhi, as social media claims over E20-related vehicle damage prompt more motorists to switch fuels

Rice diversion for ethanol not fuelling food inflation, says govt

The Centre said surplus rice diverted for ethanol is allocated only after meeting food security needs and buffer stock norms, while maize output remains adequate for all uses

Some BS-III vehicles may need rubber parts replaced for E20, says Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said only some BS-III vehicles made before 2016 may need rubber parts and gaskets replaced when operated on E20 petrol, with no major impact on performance