Page 2 - Petrol

Ethanol blending backed by global practice, scientific studies: Govt

The government on Friday issued a detailed rebuttal to what it described as misinformation circulating on social media about the country's E20 ethanol blending programme, rejecting claims ranging from excessive water consumption and engine damage to insurance invalidation and environmental harm. In a 10-point clarification, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the programme, under which petrol contains up to 20 per cent ethanol, is supported by scientific studies, international experience and regulatory safeguards. Rejecting claims that producing one litre of ethanol consumes 10,000 litres of water, the ministry said only surplus rice, cleared after meeting national food security requirements, is diverted for ethanol production. It added that ethanol distilleries consume about 3-5 litres of processed water per litre of ethanol and increasingly operate Zero Liquid Discharge systems to recycle water. The ministry also said maize, which now accounts for more than 40 per cent

Govt seeks to contain backlash against mandatory E20 petrol rollout

The Centre defended the mandatory use of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol after criticism over fuel efficiency and vehicle performance fuelled calls for protests

Fuel sales jumped in June despite price hikes, shows PPAC data

Petrol and diesel consumption rose despite higher fuel prices, while ATF demand edged lower and LPG sales declined amid supply disruptions from West Asia

Govt to lift curbs on petrol, diesel sales to commercial buyers from July 1

On June 12, the government had prohibited industrial and commercial consumers from purchasing petrol and diesel from retail outlets, directing them to source fuel from designated consumer pumps

Govt dismisses claims on ethanol-blended petrol as misleading, baseless

Petroleum ministry says social media posts on ethanol-blended fuel are misleading and reiterates that higher blending levels follow stringent testing and evaluation

Govt bars bulk fuel purchases at retail outlets, caps diesel sales

The government has restricted industrial and commercial consumers from buying fuel at retail outlets and capped diesel sales to curb arbitrage and protect retail supplies

Govt restricts users from buying bulk petrol, diesel through retail pumps

The government has restricted industrial, commercial and institutional users from buying petrol and diesel from petrol pumps and instead asked them to source their requirements from bulk sale points, according to an official order. The restrictions, which will be in place for up to 90 days, follows abnormal demand growth, particularly that of diesel, in some pockets after bulk users started buying fuel from petrol pumps due to the pricing difference. While diesel at petrol pumps costs Rs 95.20 a litre in Delhi, bulk sales are priced at Rs 134.50. The differential arose as state-owned oil companies modulated retail prices to insulate common users from the spike in cost that followed the West Asia crisis in late February. While bulk users such as telecom towers and industries using diesel for power generation and other feedstock needs are charged market price, the retail pump rates are way lower than cost. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 11 issued the Motor Spirit an

Government exempts higher ethanol-blended petrol from excise duty

The government has granted excise duty exemption on petrol containing 22-30 per cent ethanol, supporting cleaner fuel adoption and the next phase of India's ethanol blending programme

Need of hour is to use petro products with restraint, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the need of the hour, in the wake of the West Asia crisis, is to use petro products with restraint. Speaking at an event here where he virtually laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore in Telangana, he said the imported petro products should be used only as per need, as it will not only save foreign exchange but also reduce the adverse impact of war. Observing that, over the past few years, India has reached a spot among the top countries in the world in terms of solar power, he said, unprecedented work has been done in ethanol blending in petrol. First, the government is focused on 100 per cent LPG coverage, and now, it is focused on the supply of piped gas economically. The government is also promoting a CNG-based system. Due to all these efforts, India is dealing with the major energy crisis in the world, he said. "But, today, the need of the hour is also to use petrol, gas, dies

Govt expands fuel dispenser checks to cover hydrogen, clean fuels

The consumer affairs ministry has amended legal metrology rules to allow government-approved testing centres to verify hydrogen, LPG, LNG and CNG fuel dispensers, expanding the country's measurement oversight framework as cleaner fuel adoption grows. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, bringing the total number of instrument categories verifiable through Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to 23 from 18. Verification fees for petrol and diesel dispensers have been set at Rs 5,000 per nozzle, while CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers will attract a higher fee of Rs 10,000 per nozzle. "The move is expected to enhance the availability of verification services, improve efficiency and support the growing adoption of cleaner fuels across the country," the ministry said in a statement. GATCs are approved private facilities with the technical expertise to carry out verification and

Odisha CM orders fuel austerity across govt amid supply concerns

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced fuel-saving measures, including mandatory EV purchases and reduced official fuel use, amid the West Asia crisis

How petrol, diesel price hike will hit your pocket

Petrol and diesel prices have been increased by ₹3 per litre, while CNG rates have also gone up by ₹2 per kg in Delhi and Mumbai.

Petrol, diesel & CNG prices hiked: What are the new rates, and why were they raised?

The oil marketing companies have raised the prices of non-branded petrol and diesel at fuel retail outlets across the nation by an average of Rs 3 per litre.

Fuel price hike impact: 'Rupee depreciation to trigger more FPI outflows'

If crude prices remain elevated for an extended period, trade and CAD will further widen, impacting the rupee more. The rupee might depreciate to 100, and trigger more FPI outflows.

Rajasthan fuel dealers allege curbs on petrol, diesel sales at pumps

Petrol pump dealers in Rajasthan have alleged that oil marketing companies have reduced fuel supplies to retail outlets and imposed informal limits on sale of petrol and diesel to consumers. They warned that the move could lead to law and order problems at fuel stations. In a representation submitted to oil companies on Thursday, Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association said dealers were being informed through mobile messages and verbal instructions to restrict fuel sales to individual consumers. According to the association general secretary Shashank Korani, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) allegedly directed dealers to limit diesel sales up to Rs 50,000 and petrol sales up to Rs 5,000 per consumer, while Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) allegedly capped sales at 49 litres of petrol and 200 litres of diesel. Similar restrictions were allegedly communicated by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), it said. The association alleged that fuel supply to pumps was being ...

Govt says no shortage of fuel day after PM Modi's austerity appeal

A government official said India had sufficient crude inventories and that refinery operations were continuing without disruption

CII seeks phased restoration of fuel excise as crude prices stabilise

Industry body proposes gradual rollback of petrol and diesel duty cuts alongside measures to support MSMEs, energy conservation and supply-chain resilience

Centre proposes E85, E100 in petrol: What it means for consumers and automakers | Ethanol fuel

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to widen emission testing standards for flex-fuel vehicles that can run on 100 per cent ethanol (E100), in a bid to boost production of such vehicles.

Auto sector pushes for trials ahead of E25 move over vehicle concerns

The issue has figured prominently in recent internal deliberations in the automotive industry, Business Standard has learnt

Diesel export duty at ₹23/l, ATF at ₹33/l; petrol stays nil: Govt

There is no change in excise duty on petrol and diesel meant for domestic consumption