Ethanol Blended Petrol: What You Need to Know About India’s Green Fuel Push | Auto

Ethanol Blended Petrol: What You Need to Know About India’s Green Fuel Push (Disclaimer: This image was generated using AI and has been verified by the newsroom for accuracy and context)

If you’ve been to a petrol pump lately, you might have seen a small sign saying “E20” on the fuel dispenser. That stands for petrol blended with 20% ethanol which is a change that’s part of India’s big plan to go greener, reduce pollution, and cut down on costly oil imports. But as with any change, some car owners have questions like- Will this affect my mileage? Will my car need extra maintenance after using this? The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has stepped in to answer these concerns.

Why Ethanol?

Ethanol is a biofuel made mainly from crops like sugarcane and maize, you can think of it as adding a splash of clean, plant-based energy to your petrol. According to a NITI Aayog study, using sugarcane-based ethanol can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 65%, while maize-based ethanol can cut them by 50% compared to regular petrol, which will help us in cleaner environment and will create cleaner air for all of us.

But the benefits aren’t just environmental. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas stated in a press release on PIB, “ In addition to pollution reduction, there have been transformative benefits in terms of benefits to the rural economy, elimination of sugarcane arrears and improving the viability of maize cultivation in the country. More income to farmers has not only contributed to furthering their well-being but has also helped decisively tackle the challenge of suicides by farmers.”

According to the Ministry, since 2014, blending ethanol with petrol has saved India over Rs 1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange and cut carbon dioxide emissions equal to planting 30 crore trees. This year alone, farmers are expected to earn about Rs 40,000 crore from ethanol sales, while the country will save Rs 43,000 crore in oil import costs.

One big question that worries drivers is that E20 might reduce mileage. The government says this fear is largely misplaced and misconception. Your car’s fuel efficiency depends on many factors like driving style, tyre pressure, maintenance and not just fuel type. In fact, E20 has some performance perks like better acceleration, smoother ride quality, and about 30% lower carbon emissions than E10 fuel. Ethanol’s high octane rating also helps modern engines run better and avoid knocking at many stages.

For most newer cars, many of which have had the E20-compatibility since 2009, there’s no issue. In some older vehicles, a few rubber parts or gaskets might wear out sooner, but replacing them is cheap and can be done during routine servicing or maintenance which is likely to be done only once in the vehicle’s lifetime.

Will Petrol Prices Drop?

Some of us think ethanol-blended fuel should be cheaper. But while ethanol used to cost less than petrol, its price has gone up in recent years, sometimes it even costs more to produce. Still, oil companies continue the blending programme because it boosts farmer incomes, strengthens energy security, and helps the environment in various ways.

Insurance Rumors

You may have seen social media claims that insurance won’t cover damage from E20 fuel. However, the Ministry calls this totally baseless claim, saying insurance coverage is not affected by using E20 petrol.

The government says it remains committed to “promoting cleaner, more sustainable fuel options” while ensuring minimal disruption for consumers. So next time you fill up, remember that little E20 label is part of a much bigger shift, one that’s meant to help farmers, save money, and make the air a little cleaner for all of us.

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