E20 Fuel Rollout Backed by Rigorous Testing, Says Former EIL CMD
Ethanol-blended E20 petrol was introduced across India only after undergoing rigorous testing on two-wheelers and four-wheelers, and there are no gaps in the scientific standards used for its rollout, former Chairman and Managing Director of Engineers India Limited (EIL) Vartika Shukla said on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said the E20 fuel rollout was backed by extensive testing before being made available nationwide.
Testing on Various Engines Before 2030 Mandate
Regarding the E20 fuel launched on December 25 as part of the 'One Nation, One Fuel' initiative, it was initially introduced in select regions before reaching every retail outlet. Shukla stated, "E20 was launched pan-India following rigorous testing on various 4-wheeler and 2-wheeler engines ahead of the 2030 mandate."
She called the programme an important step in India's clean energy transition, adding, "It is a significant step towards decarbonization."
Impact on Vehicle Performance Addressed
Addressing concerns around vehicle performance, Shukla acknowledged that ethanol-blended fuel may have a limited impact on mileage but said several factors influence overall performance. "As for engine performance, there is a marginal drop, but this depends on various factors such as driving habits, etc.," she said.
Stakeholder Engagement and Scientific Standards
Shukla also underlined that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was developed through extensive consultations with stakeholders and in line with established technical standards. "The EBP program began in 2018 with significant stakeholder engagement. Oil marketing companies complied with standards. There is absolutely no gap in the scientific methodology used to determine these standards," she said.
Public Scrutiny and Industry Response
Her remarks come at a time when ethanol-blended fuel has been under public scrutiny following claims on social media that E20 fuel had caused issues in some vehicles. Automakers and government-backed testing agencies have maintained that E20-compatible vehicles are designed and certified to safely use the fuel, while attributing isolated cases to issues such as fuel contamination rather than the ethanol blend itself.
Government's Clean Energy Push
The Centre has been promoting higher ethanol blending as part of its strategy to reduce crude oil imports, cut carbon emissions and support domestic sugarcane and grain-based ethanol production.
