Centre Tells Rajya Sabha E20 Fuel Safe, Cites Scientific Studies

The Centre on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that it has not received any widespread or substantiated complaints linking E20 ethanol-blended petrol to engine failures or other major vehicle performance issues. The government said extensive scientific studies, field assessments and operational data have found the fuel safe for use when supplied and used according to prescribed standards.

Responding to a question raised by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was introduced in phases after scientific evaluation and consultations with stakeholders, including NITI Aayog, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Oil Corporation, the Indian Institute of Petroleum, oil marketing companies and automobile manufacturers.

The minister said India achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending five years ahead of schedule following more than two decades of policy planning, infrastructure development, scientific validation and stakeholder consultations. According to the government, no verified complaints from automobile manufacturers, industry associations or consumer groups have established a widespread link between E20 fuel and engine failures, fuel pump damage, corrosion, reduced mileage, water contamination or similar performance issues.

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The government stated that concerns circulating on social media and other platforms were examined through laboratory testing, field studies and analysis of operational data. These assessments concluded that E20 fuel does not cause significant performance changes or abnormal engine wear in legacy vehicles when used under prescribed conditions. It added that more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over three crore petrol cars have been operating on higher ethanol blends for several years without verified evidence of widespread engine failures attributable to ethanol blending.

Addressing concerns over fuel quality, the Centre said oil marketing companies supply fuel that complies with Bureau of Indian Standards specifications and therefore have not issued any specific advisory regarding water contamination. Officials added that quality control measures are implemented throughout procurement, blending, storage, transportation and retail distribution, with regular testing carried out at distilleries, depots and fuel stations.

The government further informed Parliament that oil marketing companies conducted more than 30,000 fuel quality inspections at retail outlets in recent weeks to detect adulteration and ensure compliance with prescribed standards. It also noted that state governments have been advised to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against fuel adulteration while reiterating that India's ethanol blending programme has been implemented gradually since its pilot phase in 2001, supported by scientific validation and continuous monitoring.

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