E-85 fuel has been in use in Thailand for a long time.
The debate on mixing ethanol in petrol is intense in India. Especially regarding E-20 petrol. Many vehicle owners are worried about mileage, engine age and repair costs. People are also angry over the fact that the government has made pure petrol disappear from petrol pumps altogether. Now no one is able to get genuine petrol even if they want. Only E-20 petrol is available everywhere but customers are not getting the benefit of the price.
On the other hand, a small country like Thailand has moved back towards E-20 after traveling till E-85. This situation has arisen due to low demand for E-85. The question arises that when there is controversy over E-20 in India, how did Thailand reach E-85? Then why returning to E-20? Come, let us know in detail.
What are E-20 and E-85?
E-20 means mixture of 20 percent ethanol in petrol. The remaining 80 percent is normal petrol. E-85 contains 85 percent ethanol. It contains only about 15 percent petrol. It is not suitable for every vehicle with normal petrol engine. Ethanol is an alcohol based fuel. It can be made from sugarcane, maize, broken rice, agricultural residues and other organic sources. Its major source in India is molasses made from sugarcane and grain-based production.
Special vehicles were provided for the E-85 in Thailand.
Why was E-20 brought to India?
India fulfills a major part of its needs through import of crude oil. When oil becomes expensive in the international market, the country’s import bill increases. This puts pressure on foreign currency. Petrol consumption can be reduced slightly by mixing ethanol. This is an attempt to reduce dependence on oil imports. Another objective of this policy is to provide markets to the farmers. Sugarcane and grain based ethanol production can provide additional income to farmers and sugar mills. The government also sees it linked to the rural economy. Some pollutant emissions may be reduced when ethanol is burned. Therefore it is also considered a relatively clean fuel option. However, its entire environmental impact depends on which crop and by which process ethanol is made.
What are flex-fuel vehicles?
- Flex-fuel vehicles are vehicles that are designed to run on blends of gasoline and high ethanol content. Special sensors are installed in these to detect the quality and mixture of fuel.
- The vehicle’s electronic system changes engine settings depending on the fuel. It controls the amount of fuel, air ratio and ignition timing.
- Such substances are used in the fuel system of these vehicles which convert into ethanol.
- Can bear the impact of L. Therefore E-85 is used with technical preparation.
- Filling E-85 in a normal petrol vehicle can be harmful. This may cause problems related to starting, engine performance and fuel system.
Why did Thailand promote E-85?
Thailand’s objective was to reduce oil imports. The country wanted to reduce its dependence on foreign oil by producing ethanol locally.An attempt was made to provide benefits to the farmers also. Demand for crops like sugarcane and cassava increased. The ethanol industry also created processing and employment opportunities in rural areas.
E-85 was kept cheaper than petrol in many places. The price difference was a way to attract the consumer. Because E-85 can have low mileage, a low price per liter alone is not enough. The price difference should be such that the cost per kilometer also seems balanced.Different blends of fuel are available in Thailand. Like E-10, E-20 and E-85. With this, the consumer can choose the option according to the capacity of his vehicle.
What are the benefits of E-85?
- The biggest advantage of E-85 is related to the use of local ethanol. This can reduce the need for petrol.
- It can support agriculture based economy. Farmers get an additional market for their crops. Sugar mills and biofuel units also get work.
- Ethanol has a high octane level. In a properly designed engine, it can provide the potential for better performance. Its use can be more effective, especially in vehicles with flex-fuel technology.
- There is also a possibility of reducing some harmful emissions. But it is not appropriate to consider it as completely green fuel. The energy used in production, transportation, water and farming also has to be considered.
Why did Thailand move towards E-20?
Thailand preferred E-20 over E-85 because E-85 could only run on flex-fuel vehicles and the number of such vehicles and demand for the fuel remained relatively low. E-85 also required separate production, storage, and distribution systems, making its supply practically and economically difficult. In contrast, E-20 is easier to adopt into more common gasoline vehicles, has wider demand, and supports the goals of reducing oil imports, supporting the domestic ethanol industry, and reducing emissions. Therefore, Thailand adopted a policy of simplifying fuel choices and making E-20 the main gasohol alternative according to actual market demand, while moving towards phasing out E-85. According to Nation Thailand and Bangkok Post, limited demand for E-85 is one of the main reasons behind this change.
What can India learn from Thailand?
India should have taken the concerns of vehicle owners seriously while implementing E-20. It would have been good if the government had ensured that both types of fuel were available at petrol pumps. People should be told which mixture is suitable for their vehicle.Separate advice and testing arrangements for older vehicles may be useful. Vehicle companies should also give clear information.
It is important to create a sufficient market for flex-fuel vehicles before expanding into higher blend fuels like E-85. Availability, right price and quality fuel at the pumps are also important.The objective of the policy should not be only to increase the ethanol percentage. It is necessary to balance all the things like consumer expenditure, vehicle safety, farmer’s income, water usage and environmental benefits.
The debate on E-20 in India is natural. Changing fuel is directly affecting every vehicle owner. On the other hand, ethanol blending is also an opportunity to reduce oil imports and provide markets to farmers.Thailand’s E-85 model shows that higher ethanol blending is possible. But this requires suitable vehicles, strong supply network, right price and clear policy.
Be it E-20 or E-85, the path to success lies through technical preparation and transparency. Consumers should get correct information. Vehicles should be safe. Farmers should get benefits. And real positive impact on the environment was also visible. Only then will the biofuel policy become credible.
This is how the journey of ethanol started in Thailand
- Thailand began promoting ethanol blended petrol at the policy level in the 1990s.
- Widespread use of E-10 began around 2007.
- Production of E-20 started in 2007.
- Production and sales of the E-85 began in 2008.
- Pure petrol has not been completely phased out, but gasohol is now the major alternative.
- E-85 is now a declining fuel option in Thailand.
- Thailand’s next goal is to make E-20 the main petrol blend.
Ethanol journey in India
- In India, the experiment of mixing ethanol in petrol started on pilot level in 2001.
- The Ethanol Blended Petrol Program was formally launched in January 2003.
- In 2003, the 5% mixture was implemented in some states and union territories.
- In 2006, oil companies were instructed to sell E5 in many states.
- Around 2014, the average ethanol blending in the country was only around 1.5% to 2%.
- After 2014, the government changed the system of ethanol purchase. Assistance was given to increase distillery capacity.
- Sources of ethanol were also increased. Earlier the main emphasis was on sugarcane molasses. Later, sugarcane juice, B-heavy molasses, broken rice, maize and some other grains were also allowed.
- The National Biofuel Policy got a new look in 2018. This provided policy support to ethanol production and blending.
- India achieved the target of average 10% ethanol blending, i.e. E10, in June 2022.
- The phased launch of E20 petrol took place in February 2023.
- India made major progress towards achieving the target of 20% ethanol blending by 2025 and making E20 the dominant petrol blend.
- Currently the main auto fuel of the country is E20 petrol.
- The government is selling E-20 but has not given any kind of financial relief to the buyers.
What are people’s concerns about E-20?
The biggest concern is mileage. The energy capacity of ethanol is less than petrol. This means that the same amount of E-20 may give the vehicle slightly less range than gasoline. The reduction in mileage is not the same in every vehicle. It depends on the engine, driving style, road, traffic and vehicle conditions. Still, many consumers consider it to be an issue directly related to their pockets.
The second concern is about old vehicles. Not every legacy vehicle was designed for the E-20. Ethanol can attract moisture. In the long run it can affect some rubber, plastic and metal parts. There is a possibility of impact on fuel pipes, seals, gaskets and parts of the fuel system. Caution may be necessary especially in very old vehicles. Vehicle owners also ask that if the mileage is reduced, will the benefit be reflected in the fuel price? This question is important because the consumer looks at the cost per kilometer along with the price per litre.
Is E-20 harmful to every vehicle?
It would not be correct to say that E-20 will damage every vehicle. Companies are providing E-20 compatible technology in new vehicles. Many manufacturers have adapted their models to the E-20 in recent years. But the vehicle owner should check the manual of his vehicle. Information can also be obtained from the company’s website, service center or dealer. Fuel compatibility may vary depending on vehicle make and model. In an older vehicle, regular service and fuel system checks may be more important. If the vehicle remains stationary for a long time, attention should also be paid to the fuel condition.
Also read: How is ethanol prepared from sugarcane?
