Ethanol blending in petrol not harmful, says Nitin Gadkari, highlights benefits
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday that blending ethanol with petrol has not had any negative impact on vehicles. Furthermore, it has saved foreign exchange worth ₹1.40 lakh crore and benefited farmers.
Gadkari stated that the introduction of E20 petrol is an important step towards a clean and green future. Ethanol-blended petrol reduces pollution and reduces the country's dependence on expensive fuel imports. He further stated that this has provided approximately ₹40,000 crore to farmers who supply raw materials like sugarcane and corn used in ethanol production.
Responding to a question regarding the compatibility of vehicles with E10 and E20 fuel standards, Gadkari shared a detailed overview of the government's policy. He said that it is the responsibility of vehicle manufacturers to declare whether a model is E20 fuel-compatible, and this information should be displayed through a clearly visible sticker on the vehicle. The Union Minister said that vehicles sold before April 1, 2023, are E10 fuel-compatible, while vehicles sold after this date are E20-compliant.
He further said that safety norms for E20 fuel have been established through BIS specifications and automotive industry standards and tests have shown that there are no issues with vehicle running, starting or compatibility of metal and plastic components. Gadkari also informed the House that there is no need to phase out or modify old vehicles that do not comply with E20 standards. He said that a study conducted by ARAI, IOCL and SIAM has confirmed that normal wear and tear caused by the use of ethanol-blended fuel can be managed through regular servicing and no special retrofitting program is required.
“The ethanol blending programme in petrol has resulted in reduction of carbon emissions by about 790 lakh metric tonnes and replacement of more than 260 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil,” the Union Minister said.