E20 Blending Scientifically Tested, Not Done Overnight, Completely Safe: Industry Experts Address Concerns

Defending India's ethanol blending programme amid ongoing debate, an industry expert on Friday said the rollout of E20 petrol was the result of a carefully planned, scientifically validated process and not an overnight policy decision.Addressing a press conference by industry experts on ethanol blending, former Engineers India Limited Chairman and Managing Director Vartika Shukla said India has steadily increased ethanol blending in petrol from around 1.5 per cent in 2013-14 to achieving the 20 per cent (E20) target in 2025—five years ahead of schedule."This ethanol blending in petrol has not been done overnight. It is a measured, scientifically driven, step-by-step process," she said, adding that the programme was extensively discussed with

stakeholders from 2018 onward and backed by scientific evidence, rigorous vehicle testing and global best practices.

VIDEO | Delhi: In her opening remarks at the press conference by industry experts on ethanol, expert Vartika Shukla says, "This ethanol blending in petrol has been not done overnight. It is a measured, scientifically driven, step-by-step process. In 2013 and 2014, we were… pic.twitter.com/XLBMlVp4gW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2026

Shukla noted that the initiative received support from the automotive industry and testing agencies, including the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), ensuring compatibility with vehicles while helping reduce carbon emissions.

'Reduction In India's Dependence On Imported Crude Oil'

Highlighting the programme's strategic benefits, expert Vartika Shukla, citing the recent West Asia crisis, said that diversifying feedstocks used for ethanol production has strengthened India's energy security by reducing dependence on imported crude oil."During the West Asia crisis, part of our vulnerability was reduced due to lower crude imports, equivalent to the 20 per cent gasoline made available to customers across the country," she said.

VIDEO | Delhi: At the E20 ethanol-petrol blended programme, expert Vartika Shukla says, "There has been diversification in the sources used to produce ethanol, which has helped reduce crude oil imports. During the West Asia crisis, part of our vulnerability was reduced due to… pic.twitter.com/7kmjMBbyUM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2026

Shukla also pointed to data released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on several indicators concerning water usage in ethanol production, the value of ethanol used in blending, and the country's ethanol production capacity.Emphasising that ethanol blending is a globally accepted practice, she noted that countries such as Canada, the United States, Brazil, Paraguay and Germany have been using ethanol-blended fuels in varying proportions for several years to lower emissions and promote cleaner transportation.

'Ethanol Is High Performance, Reduces Carbon Emissions'

Adding to Shukla's views, Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said both vehicles and fuels in India undergo rigorous testing and certification before reaching consumers."Vehicles that are made available to consumers are extremely well engineered, well designed and have a very immense element of oversight through technically sound testing agencies," he said.Calling ethanol "a very good fuel", Gulati said it offers high performance while also helping reduce carbon emissions. "In an era when we are facing the issue of climate change... this is a zero carbon fuel because it's derived from plants," he said, adding that ethanol blending also helped cushion consumers and the economy when global crude oil supplies came under pressure.