After Ethanol in Petrol, Govt to mix Isobutanol in Diesel
New Delhi, July 5: Even as massive controversy continues to rage over mixing of ethanol with petrol, the government is moving to blend diesel with 15% of Isobutanol.
Stating this, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said ethanol cannot be blended directly with diesel and hence, work is on to convert ethanol into isobutanol as a substitute.
“Ethanol can’t be blended directly with diesel, so we’re producing isobutanol from ethanol… Isobutanol can serve as an alternative to diesel,” he added.
He said the government is moving towards enabling a 15 per cent isobutanol blend in diesel.
Criticism over Ethanol-blended Petrol
Gadkari’s remarks come amidst widespread criticism by the automobile experts and common people regarding ethanol-mixed petrol.
At present, petrol is being sold with 20% ethanol and vehicle users have been complaining that their car and bike engines are getting damaged, mileage is dropping substantially and vehicles fail to accelerate appropriately.
Experts have also been warning about major damage to the engines of the vehicles.
Amidst this, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently acknowledged that the mileage of vehicles drops due to ethanol in petrol.
There are further concerns among the public as the government intends to raise the percentage of ethanol from 20 to 85.
There are massive demands for provision of petrol without ethanol, at least as an option for the consumers. (BVI)
