Don’t want E20 fuel? Buy 100% petrol but at a higher price, says Nitin Gadkari | Today’s news
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said motorists who prefer not to use ethanol-laced petrol can opt for 100% petrol, even if they have to pay a higher price for it.
His remarks come amid growing concerns among sections of vehicle owners and experts over the Centre’s push to increase the blending of ethanol in petrol. Critics question its impact on engine performance, fuel economy and compatibility with older vehicles.
In an interview with The Times of IndiaGadkari dismissed claims that E20 fuel harms engines, terming them as misinformation. He also said the government has received no complaints about engine damage caused by E20 fuel.
“Whoever wants 100% gasoline can buy it”
Asked whether E10 petrol should continue to be available at petrol stations along with E20, Gadkari said that India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending so that E20 is widely available across the country. “How is this possible when we have reached 20 percent ethanol blending and E20 fuel is available at every gas station in the country? People who don’t want ethanol blended fuel can go for 100 percent gasoline, but they will have to pay more,” he said. TOI.
On whether petrol stations should provide multiple dispensing options with different levels of ethanol blending, Gadkari said the issue falls under the petroleum ministry and declined to comment further.
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What did Gadkari say about engine damage concerns?
Gadkari dismissed criticism of the program and claimed that the campaign against E20 fuel was politically motivated. “There is misinformation about E20 fuel damaging engines. All E10 compliant vehicles are suitable to use E20 fuel,” he said.
The minister added that no complaints have been received so far E20 fuel damages vehicle engines. Referring to car manufacturers, he said companies such as Maruti Suzuki have publicly claimed that E20 does not harm engines and continue to provide warranties on their vehicles.
Responding to mileage concerns, Gadkari acknowledged that ethanol has a lower calorific value than gasoline, which could lead to a marginal drop in fuel efficiency.
He said motorists driving in congested city traffic may not notice a significant difference, although there may be some loss of mileage in high-speed highway driving. He reiterated that any reduction in mileage would be negligible.
He also noted that some gas stations already offer E85 fuel (85 percent gasoline with added ethanol) for flex-fuel vehicles (FFV). According to Gadkari, more than half a dozen automakers are preparing to launch FFVs, and E85 is cheaper than E20, giving consumers another option.
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“Ethanol Production Reduces Oil Imports and Benefits Farmers”
Gadkari said the ethanol program is helping reduce India’s dependence on imported oil while benefiting farmers. He stressed that ethanol production should not be limited to sugarcane and highlighted the use of maize, rice, paddy stubble and bamboo as alternative feedstocks.
According to him, corn-based ethanol helped farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh secure better prices when market rates fell below the minimum support price (SMEs).
He added that paddy stubble, a major contributor to air pollution in Haryana and Punjab, is being used for ethanol production in Panipat, while bamboo-based ethanol production is being promoted in Assam. When compared to other countries, Gadkari said Brazil has successfully used ethanol for decades without damaging vehicle engines. He added that Indonesia and Thailand are also expanding the use of biofuels.
Gadkari denies allegations of conflict of interest
Responding to allegations that his family benefited from the ethanol blending scheme, Gadkari denied any conflict of interest. He said he has been supporting ethanol for many years and pointed out that the program started during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, not recently.
