New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday said its scientific assessment found no verified evidence of widespread engine failure, abnormal wear or reduced vehicle life attributable to E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol).
It asserted that the fuel was introduced only after extensive scientific validation and consultations with industry stakeholders, according to an official statement.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme was implemented through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.
The minister said extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, Indian Oil Corporation, IIP and automobile manufacturers assessed engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency before the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel.
According to the government, these studies confirmed that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards and found no significant variation in vehicle performance or abnormal wear and tear in legacy vehicles operating under prescribed conditions.
The government said its assessment is also supported by large-scale operational experience following the nationwide implementation of ethanol-blended petrol. It noted that around eight crore vehicles visit fuel retail outlets every day, nearly 80% of them petrol vehicles.
According to the minister, E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been available for over two-and-a-half years. During this period, more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over three crore petrol cars have operated on these fuel blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending.
The minister further said manufacturer service data have not indicated any abnormal corrosion, excessive wear or reduction in vehicle life linked to E20 fuel, with automobile manufacturers continuing to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using the fuel.
He added that leading automobile manufacturers have reported no E20-related corrosion, abnormal wear or reduction in component life after servicing millions of vehicles, including many that were not originally certified as E20-compatible.
He said automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, SIAM, ARAI, testing agencies and Oil Marketing Companies were involved at every stage of the scientific evaluation and phased rollout of E20. According to the government, manufacturers would not have validated E20 for older vehicles or continued warranty support had they found any significant adverse impact on vehicle performance or durability.
Citing inputs from SIAM and ARAI, the minister said E20 fuel can improve acceleration and ride quality while helping reduce carbon emissions. He added that ethanol’s higher octane rating supports modern high-compression engines and its higher heat of vaporisation contributes to improved combustion efficiency.
