Vehicle mileage may “drop” due to ethanol, acknowledges Petroleum Minister
New Delhi, July 3: Amidst widespread anger over the use of ethanol in petrol, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has acknowledged that fuel efficiency may decline slightly due to the blending of 20 per cent ethanol.
He sought to assure motorists that insurance coverage would not be affected by the use E20 fuel.
“Mileage? Yes, it may drop a little,” Puri said while interacting with media persons here.
At the same time, he claimed that ethanol is being used in “racing cars also”.
“The acceleration increases, knocking improves,” the minister claimed.
Earlier, an official expert of government-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) said the efficiency of engine is definitely impacted by ethanol as it is not as efficient as fuel as petrol.
There is a massve ongoing criticism by vehicle users and experts who complain that ethanol is damaging engines of cars and bikes, including the new ones having E20 compatability.
“There is a complete make-believe narrative being unleashed on social media by people who should know better,” Puri claimed.
Vehicle owners are also complaining that insurance companies do not cover the damage caused to engine or any other part due to ethanol.
To this, the Petroleum Minister said, “Insurance companies have given clarification that there is no issue.”
The minister also stressed that India’s ethanol-blending programme has not been implemented in haste.
The government is already looking further ahead.
Puri indicated that any future move towards higher blending levels, such as E25 fuel, would only happen after extensive scientific testing and industry consultations.
“If we move from 20 to 25 at some stage, it will be after all the tests have been done,” he said. (BVI)
