No plans to introduce E25 Petrol, says Govt as outrage over E20 continues
New Delhi, July 7: As nationwide outrage over Petrol mixed with 20% Ethanol (E20) continues, the government seems to have put on hold its plans to roll out Petrol mixed with 25% Ethanol (E25).
The government says no decision has been taken to roll out E25 and that testing for the higher ethanol blend is still underway across multiple vehicle models, according to multiple media reports quoting unnamed sources.
The E25 fuel has not yet completed the extensive scientific and technical evaluation is required before any policy decision can be made, said a report by News18, quoting “a government source”.
Any decision surrounding E-25 will depend on scientific testing and technical validation, not policy speculation, said NDTV, quoting unnamed sources.
These reports came at a time when motorists have been venting anger over E20 petrol, saying it has been damaging car engines, reducing mileage and badly affecting accleration.
Their version has been supported by car experts, who have warned of damage to engines of cars and two wheelers due to E20.
Even the Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently acknowledged that mileage drops substantially due to E20.
With regard to E20, there are also concerns regarding the huge wastage of water because of the making of Ethanol from sugarcane.
The social media is full of motorists showing video proof of how engines are damaged due to E20.
Yesterday, even the Petrol Dealers Association president also stated that E20 is harmful for engines and asked the government to withdraw this kind of fuel.
A number of motorists registered their protest against the E20 ethanol blend on Sunday in Delhi, which was the first such significant agitation against the government’s 20% ethanol-blended petrol directive.
Motorists claimed that the Indian government’s push for self-reliance through this is resulting in worse fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs, which are being borne by the Indian consumer. (BVI)
