Thursday, the Union administration made it clear that there has been no decision to increase the amount of ethanol blended into fuel above 20% (E20). They assured Parliament that any future suggestion will be considered only after thorough scientific examination and talks with all stakeholder groups.
Suresh Gopi, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha that technical studies and consultations with relevant parties, including car manufacturers, oil marketing companies (OMCs), academic institutions, and others, would inform any decision to introduce higher ethanol blends.
The minister made it clear that the use of E85 fuel—a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline—will only be allowed in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) that have been engineered and approved to run on this blend. He was quite clear that the national base ethanol blending level is still limited at 20% and that E85 does not mean that it would be increased.
The Indian government claims that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been carried out in a phased, consultative fashion with the help of NITI Aayog, ARAI, SIAM, IIP, oil marketing companies, and automobile manufacturers. The program has also been scientifically validated.
When used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, E20 is a safer, cleaner, and technically superior fuel, according to the minister, who cited vast field validation, laboratory research, and operational experience.
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