Dismissing mounting consumer anxieties over the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20), India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has strongly defended
the government’s green fuel roadmap. Terming reports of widespread mechanical issues and consumer resistance as a “misrepresentation”, the minister clarified in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 that the policy is a vital step towards environmental sustainability and economic self-reliance.
Engine Damage Rumours Dispelled
Addressing long-standing apprehensions regarding engine degradation, particularly in older vehicles, the minister pointed to extensive data from the automotive service sector to counter the narrative of fuel-induced damage.
“Suzuki have serviced 1.5 crore vehicles and they didn’t report any damage,” Puri stated, emphasising that both car manufacturers and mechanics have found no systemic difficulties.
The minister also confirmed that early bureaucratic hurdles causing panic among motorists have been resolved. “A lot of rumours were being spread regarding the warranty issues, and many insurance companies said they wouldn’t be covering the costs, but all of that is sorted now,” he clarified, reassuring vehicle owners of full coverage and protection.
Performance Over Mileage
While acknowledging a marginal reduction in fuel economy due to the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to conventional petrol, the government maintains that focusing solely on mileage misses the larger engineering picture.
- Better Acceleration: Ethanol enhances torque and overall vehicle throttle responsiveness.
- Higher Octane Count: It provides superior resistance to engine knocking, acting as a cleaner-burn, high-performance fuel.
- Engine Safety: Rigorous testing indicates zero long-term damage to internal components.
“Mileage needs to be looked at in an overall context,” Puri argued, framing ethanol as a progressive transitional tool. “When it comes to technology, you always proceed from the current to a more environmentally sustainable phase. Ethanol is only one step in that direction.”
Financial Relief via E85 and Atmanirbharta
In a major policy announcement aimed at offering financial relief to consumers, Puri revealed plans to introduce E85 fuel—a high-ethanol blend comprising up to 85 per cent ethanol. This fuel will be priced approximately 20 rupees cheaper per litre than standard E20 petrol, though it will be exclusively restricted to purpose-built Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
The minister fiercely defended the macroeconomic benefits of the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme, linking it directly to India’s sovereign fiscal health and agricultural economy.
“If there was no ethanol blending programme, we would have been buying more crude, and then the prices would have been much higher than what they are right now,” Puri noted.
By curbing crude oil imports, the initiative not only insulates domestic consumers from volatile global energy shocks but heavily supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision by diverting energy expenditure directly into the local agrarian economy.
Clear Roadmap: E25 and EVs
Responding to queries about further policy shifts, the minister cautioned against public confusion regarding higher blends. He confirmed that E25 petrol is strictly in the experimental phase. “E25 is only being tested now; don’t confuse and mix many things together,” he warned, stressing that any future transitions will remain scientifically phased.
Reiterating that the biofuel push does not compete with alternative green technologies, Puri said, “I am entirely in favour of the EV programme,” charting a co-existent path for both electric vehicles and biofuels in India’s transport ecosystem.
