Amid complaints on E20 petrol, the government has declared it safe. This reduces pollution but mileage may reduce by up to 5%. Its purpose is to reduce imports, so the price will not reduce and other options will not be available at the pump.
E20 Petrol Government Guidelines (New Delhi): There is a lot of debate on the decision of the Central Government to mix 20% ethanol in petrol. People complain that due to this the mileage of vehicles is falling and the engine can also be damaged. Amidst these complaints, the Union Petroleum Ministry has given clarification saying, ‘There is no danger to the engine by adding ethanol, rather it will reduce pollution.’
However, the ministry also admitted that ‘Petrol with 20% ethanol (E20) may reduce the mileage of some vehicles by up to 5%.’ Along with this, the government has also rejected the demand of selling three different types of petrol at petrol pumps – E20, E10 and plain petrol without ethanol.
What did the government say in response to 12 questions?
In view of the increasing protests in the country regarding E20 petrol, the Central Government has released a list of 12 questions and answers. In this the government has tried to remove all the doubts one by one. The government says, ‘Adding ethanol improves the pickup of the vehicle, makes the engine run smoother and also reduces carbon emissions. It has many benefits.
The government has also denied the allegation that this scheme has been implemented in a hurry. According to the government, ethanol blending in India started as a pilot project in 2001. By 2006, petrol containing 5% ethanol started being sold in some parts of the country.
Decision taken after complete preparation
The Petroleum Ministry has described E20 fuel as cleaner, better and more effective than E10 or plain petrol. The ministry clarified that it has been launched in the market only after 10 years of scientific investigation, consultation with automobile companies and increasing the ethanol production capacity in the country.
Till 2014, only 1.5% ethanol was mixed in petrol, but this increased after the ‘National Policy on Biofuels’ was introduced in 2018. India had already achieved the target of 10% ethanol blending in 2022. Now the target of adding 20% ethanol by 2025-26 has also been achieved.
The government also mentioned the feedback received from companies like Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp. These companies have not informed about any damage to the vehicles due to E20. It has been implemented only after large-scale testing on vehicles. It has also been passed by vehicle manufacturing companies, testing agencies, oil companies and regulators.
It is not possible to give different petrol
The government has made it clear that it is not possible to sell plain petrol, E10 and E20 petrol separately at petrol pumps. This will increase the cost of supply and it will become very difficult to distribute fuel across India’s network of more than 1 lakh petrol pumps.
prices will not go down
The government has also rejected the demand to reduce the price of E20 petrol. The government says, ‘E20 is not cheaper than normal petrol because the price of purchase of ethanol has been kept at a profitable level to help the farmers. When crude oil prices are low in the international market, ethanol can become costlier than petrol.
The government said that the objective of this scheme is not to reduce petrol prices, but to ‘reduce India’s dependence on petrol imports, bring price stability and strengthen the country’s fuel security.’
Since 2014-15, the ethanol blending scheme has helped the country save foreign exchange worth more than Rs 1.97 lakh crore. This reduced the import of crude oil by about 316 lakh tonnes, reduced the emission of carbon dioxide by 952 lakh tonnes and more than Rs 1.66 lakh crore has been paid to the farmers.
avoid wrong information
The ministry has appealed to consumers not to be influenced by misinformation being spread about E20.
What is E20?
Petrol in which 20% ethanol is mixed is called E20. Here ‘E’ stands for ethanol.
Why is this important?
India buys 88% of its petroleum needs from other countries. E20 has been implemented to reduce foreign dependence, increase fuel security and benefit farmers. Adding ethanol also reduces carbon emissions.
Since when is it being used?
5% ethanol (E5) was being mixed in petrol since 2003. Later E10 came and now this quantity has become 20%. The supply of E20 has started since last year and it is available across the country.
Why is there protest?
Vehicle owners argue that vehicles manufactured after 2023 are suitable for E20, but it is not suitable for older vehicles. He says that mileage and engine performance is falling due to E20. Vehicles made for E10 are suffering losses. There is no other option other than E20 in the market and despite adding 20% ethanol, the prices have not been reduced.
What do the companies say?
Oil companies and the government say that E20 is being used in millions of vehicles without any problem. However, she also believes that this may reduce the mileage slightly.