Centre Halts Ethanol-Diesel Blending Plans
The Indian government has officially ruled out the blending of ethanol with diesel, citing significant safety concerns. This decision comes after extensive evaluations by public sector oil marketing companies, in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers, revealed that ethanol-diesel blends failed to meet critical safety standards.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, informed the Rajya Sabha that tests consistently showed that the presence of ethanol drastically lowered diesel's flash point. A reduced flash point means the fuel becomes highly flammable, posing increased fire and safety hazards during its storage, transportation, and general handling.
No Immediate Increase for Petrol Blending Beyond 20%
In a related development, Gopi also clarified that no decision has been made to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% target. Any future consideration for higher ethanol blends in petrol would necessitate detailed scientific and technical studies, along with extensive consultations involving all relevant stakeholders, including automotive manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and research institutions.
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program has been implemented through a structured, phased approach, guided by bodies such as NITI Aayog, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and various technical institutions.
E20 Petrol Deemed Safe After Extensive Trials
Conversely, the government highlighted the successful implementation and safety of E20 petrol. Comprehensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, Indian Oil Corporation, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and automobile manufacturers have rigorously tested E20 across multiple parameters. These include engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions, and fuel efficiency.
These studies have concluded that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards. Furthermore, the minister noted that legacy vehicles operating on E20 have not exhibited any significant variations in performance or abnormal wear and tear. With E15+ petrol in widespread use for over three and a half years, and E19-E20 for more than two and a half years, over 20 crore two-wheelers and more than 3 crore petrol cars have operated on these blends without verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdowns directly attributable to ethanol blending.