Petrol dealers also flag concerns regarding E20, ask govt to withdraw it

Bhubaneswar, July 6: After consumers, the Petrol Dealers are also flagging the problems being caused by E20 and are asking the government withdraw this kind of fuel which is damaging vehicles.

“(Petroleum) dealers are facing a lot of difficulties because of the E20 rollout,” Petroleum Dealers Association President Sasanka Sekhar Sahu said today.

“We are urging the government to reconsider the introduction of E20 fuel,” he said about 20% ethanol-blended petrol regardign which there are widespread complaints by motorists.

Sahu noted that while most countries worldwide have only 10% proportion of ethanol in petrol, India has implemented a 20% blend for which vehicles are not ready currently.

“The vehicles currently available in India are not fully compatible with this fuel…BS6 vehicles in India were not originally designed to handle this specific blend,” the Association leader said.

He said 20% of ethanol in petrol leads to issues like clogged carburettors and other mechanical failures.

“Customers then come to the petrol pumps and create a ruckus, even though the pump owners have no control over the situation. The government introduced the fuel, and we simply sell it,” he said.

“These problems, which were did not exist before, have only surfaced since the introduction of E20,” Sahu said.

Motorists all over the country have been complaining that E20 is damaging engines of both cars and two-wheelers and have been asking the government to withdraw it immediately.

The E20 fuel reduces mileage and speed as well as causes knocking (noise) during movement of vehicles. (BVI)