In News:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has clarified the benefits and addressed concerns related to E20 fuel — petrol blended with 20% ethanol — citing its role in improving ride quality, reducing emissions, enhancing farmers’ income, and strengthening India’s energy security.Key Points:
- Performance Benefits:
- E20 provides better acceleration and ride quality, especially in city driving conditions.
- Reduces carbon emissions by ~30% compared to E10 fuel.
- Higher octane rating (95 vs 91 for regular petrol) improves anti-knocking properties and engine performance.
- Technical Concerns Addressed:
- No adverse effects reported on drivability, vehicle start-up, or compatibility with metals/plastics.
- Older vehicles may need inexpensive rubber/gasket replacement during servicing (once in vehicle’s lifetime).
- No significant reduction in fuel efficiency; mileage influenced more by driving habits and maintenance.
- Economic & Environmental Impact:
- Saved ~₹1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange (2014–15 to July 2025) by reducing crude imports.
- Farmers’ income boosted — ~₹40,000 crore expected this year from ethanol supply.
- Eliminated sugarcane arrears; improved maize cultivation viability.
- Substituted ~245 lakh MT of crude oil; reduced ~735 lakh MT CO₂ emissions (equivalent to planting 30 crore trees).
- Insurance Misconceptions:
- MoPNG refuted claims that E20 damages are excluded from insurance coverage; such fears termed “baseless”.
- Price Considerations:
- Weighted average ethanol price higher than refined petrol due to rising cost of maize/C-heavy molasses.
- Cost advantage not passed to consumers.
Updated - August 12, 2025 08:35 pm IST | The Hindu