New Delhi: The Centre has asked oil marketing companies to sell petrol blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol, meeting a minimum Research Octane Number of 95 across the country from April 1st, as per a notification by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Ron or Research Octane Number, is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to engine knocking (pre-ignition).
Knocking happens when fuel burns unevenly, which results in a pinging sound, loss of power and possible engine damage over the course of time.
As per the notification dated February 17th, “The Central Government hereby directs that the oil companies shall sell Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit with a percentage of Ethanol up to twenty per cent as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications and having a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, in the States and the Union territories.”
Still, in special cases, the government might allow the oil marketing companies to sell ethanol-blended petrol that meetsonly the required RON specifications, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards for specific periods and regions, the notification said. Ethanol is produced from sugarcane, grain or maize and is renewable, domestically produced and has clearer burning than pure petrol.
The government has mandated ethanol blending in petrol in order to help reduce oil imports and reduce emissions. Such a mandate also supports farmers as it helps surge demand for maize, sugarcane and agricultural surplus.