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Informist, Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2026

 

NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas called claims of engine failure and other issues arising from ethanol-blended fuel "misleading" and said the ethanol-blending programme is scientifically validated and continuously monitored by the government. The ministry's comments come at a time when several social media posts have surfaced, claiming that the issues are being faced by consumers due to the use of blended fuel.

 

These posts "appear to be aimed at confusing and misleading the public", the ministry said. "It has also been observed that old images and videos are being recirculated in an apparent attempt to garner viewership through sensationalism and create unwarranted concerns regarding ethanol-blended fuel."

 

Ever since the government launched E80 petrol, or petrol with 80% ethanol blended in it, these posts have increased across social media platforms with many saying most cars in India are not equipped to run on blended fuel and could suffer engine damage. "Since the introduction of E20 petrol (petrol with 20% ethanol), no widespread issues of engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending have been reported," the ministry said. 

 

The clamour around E20 fuel gained momentum as some consumers recently expressed concern about their vehicle insurance, with insurance companies allegedly refusing to accept claims related to engine breakdown that may have been caused by blended fuel. "...multiple claims suggesting that the use of E20 fuel could affect vehicle insurance validity were clarified by the concerned stakeholders and found to be incorrect," the ministry said in a release.

 

A viral social media post also recently showed a cluster of ants around a fuel tank's lid, suggesting that the blended fuel attracts ants. According to the ministry, ethanol contains denaturants that repel insects. "There is no identifiable attractant associated with E20 fuel that would cause ants or other insects to congregate around vehicle fuel caps," it said. "Therefore, claims suggesting a link between E20 fuel and ant attraction have no scientific basis and are not supported by scientific evidence."

 

The government had launched the ethanol blending programme in 2003 with the objectives of reducing crude oil imports, enhancing energy security, and promoting environmental sustainability. The programme has been implemented in a phased manner since 2023 with the launch of E80 fuel earlier this month. "The rollout of higher blending levels has been undertaken only after extensive technical evaluation and consultation with automobile manufacturers and other stakeholders," the ministry said.  End

 

Reported by Priyasmita Dutta 

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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