As High As 31% Ethanol Found In Petrol Samples, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Petrol samples in Karnataka were found to contain ethanol as high as 31.2%, significantly exceeding the prescribed 20% limit.
• The Department of Legal Metrology collected samples from various districts, with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) recording 31.2% and 30.5% ethanol respectively.
• Karnataka's Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rizwan Arshad, raised concerns about transparency after Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)' in-house labs allegedly did not disclose ethanol content.
• Tests conducted by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognized labs confirmed the higher ethanol blends.
• The Minister highlighted that 99% of India's 35 crore vehicles are not built for blends over 20%, potentially causing damage and an estimated consumer loss of ₹62,000 crore annually due to reduced mileage.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) aims to reduce India's oil import dependency, enhance energy security, and lower vehicular emissions.
• India had set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, which was achieved ahead of schedule.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified specifications for E20 fuel (20% ethanol blend) and even higher blends like E22, E25, E27, and E30.
• Vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are generally designed to be compatible with E20 fuel, while older vehicles may face issues.
• Higher ethanol blends can lead to corrosion of fuel system components (plastic, rubber, metal) and a reduction in fuel efficiency, potentially voiding vehicle warranties.
• The Karnataka government has demanded that the Union government penalize OMCs for over-blending and establish an E20 spoilage fund to compensate consumers for vehicle damage.
• The Minister also called for mandatory display of ethanol blend percentages at fuel stations to enable informed consumer choice.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP): A government initiative to blend ethanol with petrol to reduce crude oil imports, promote cleaner fuel, and support the agricultural sector.
• E20 Fuel: Motor gasoline blended with 20% anhydrous ethanol, set as a national target for fuel in India.
• Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs): Public and private sector companies responsible for refining, distributing, and marketing petroleum products in India.