Does E20 gasoline have sugarcane juice? Does it attract ants? Nitin Gadkari addresses viral claims | Today’s news
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has dismissed claims that E20 petrol contains sugarcane and attracts ants to vehicles as false. He urged people not to believe rumors circulating on social media.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led dispensation supports a shift away from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives, including E20, an ethanol-based gasoline. However, the move has met with backlash from some motorists, with several claims on social media claiming the fuel is damaging vehicles. One such claim included a viral video showing ants swarming a car’s fuel cap, with social media users claiming the infestation was caused by the E20 fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
In an interview with ABP News, Gadkari refuted the claim and explained that ethanol is a type of alcohol and not sugarcane juice or any other sweet substance. He said: “When you open a bottle of whiskey or rum, do ants fly into it? Ethanol is a similar type of alcohol. So to say that E20 petrol is sweet or attracts ants is completely wrong.”
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
No, E20 gasoline does not contain sugar cane juice. It is a mixture of standard gasoline and 20% ethanol, which is a type of alcohol, not a sugary substance.
Concerns about E20 gasoline stem from claims of lower fuel economy and potential engine damage. Some vehicle owners have reported reduced performance and higher maintenance costs after using the fuel.
E20 gasoline can reduce fuel consumption by approximately 3 to 5% in some vehicles due to its lower energy content compared to traditional gasoline, although various factors can also affect mileage.
There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that E20 gasoline damages engines. The government implemented E20 only after extensive testing to ensure vehicle compatibility.
Consumers experiencing problems with E20 petrol can lodge a complaint on the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways website, where each complaint will be personally investigated.
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The Union Minister said that misinformation about E20 petrol is being spread deliberately. He added that his ministry has not yet received any official complaints regarding E20 gasoline. According to him, around 53 videos appeared on social networks, but many of them contain false and misleading information.
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said that anyone who has a genuine problem with E20 petrol can file a complaint on the ministry’s website. He assured the public that every complaint would be personally investigated.
What is E20 gasoline?
E20 gasoline is a mixture of standard gasoline and 20% ethanol.
E20 gasoline is actually an environmentally friendly fuel. In a major move under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, India has moved to a nationwide mandate requiring all petrol pumps to stock and supply E20 petrol as a standard fuel.
Read also | India plans to blend up to 15% isobutanol in diesel amid push for biofuels
Clean fuels are fuels that produce much lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuels on a life cycle basis.
Also, any renewable substance that can be used as a fuel other than conventional fossil fuels is known as an alternative or clean fuel, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
They have the potential to contribute to its decarbonisation and improve the environmental performance of the transport sector, the ministry said.
The country has already met its goal of achieving an average of 20% ethanol blending ahead of schedule and continues to expand the availability of E20 gasoline nationwide.
The fuel recently came into the limelight after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interacted with motorists and vehicle mechanics about their experiences with E20 petrol.
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Some vehicle owners have claimed to experience reduced fuel economy, poorer performance and possible engine damage.
According to the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas, E20 gasoline can reduce fuel economy by approximately 3 to 5% in some vehicles because ethanol contains less energy than gasoline.
As a result, some vehicles may use slightly more fuel to travel the same distance.
However, the ministry says the bigger drops in fuel economy reported by some motorists can also be influenced by factors such as driving habits, road conditions, vehicle maintenance and whether the engine is designed for E20 petrol.
