Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has dismissed concerns over E20 petrol, saying the ethanol-blended fuel causes only a marginal reduction in vehicle mileage and remains a key part of India’s plan to improve energy security and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
Responding to questions about the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, Puri said the blend has undergone extensive testing and is safe for compatible engines. He added that ethanol-blended fuels are widely used across the world and even power high-performance racing vehicles, countering claims that E20 significantly affects engine performance or efficiency.
The minister acknowledged that motorists may notice a slight drop in mileage with E20 fuel, but stressed that the difference is minimal compared to the environmental and economic benefits of increasing ethanol use. India has been steadily raising ethanol blending levels to reduce crude oil imports, support sugarcane farmers and lower carbon emissions.
Puri also addressed growing public concern over petrol and diesel prices, which have remained unchanged despite a decline in international crude oil prices in recent weeks.
He explained that oil marketing companies are still refining crude purchased during the recent West Asia conflict, when global oil prices, freight charges and insurance costs were considerably higher. As a result, the benefit of lower international crude prices has not yet reached consumers at fuel stations.
According to the minister, state-run oil companies incurred significant losses during the April-June period as they continued supplying petrol, diesel and LPG while absorbing higher input costs. He indicated that any reduction in pump prices would depend on global crude remaining stable at lower levels for a sustained period.
India’s ethanol blending programme has accelerated in recent years, with the government promoting cleaner fuels and encouraging the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles. Officials believe the initiative will not only reduce the country’s import bill but also strengthen energy security in the long run.