'No assessment done on share of vehicles fully compliant with E20', Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Indian government has not conducted an assessment on the percentage of petrol vehicles fully compliant with E20 fuel, which is petrol blended with 20% ethanol.
• This information was provided by Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, in the Rajya Sabha.
• The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), the nodal ministry for the automobile sector, confirmed that no such assessment has been done.
• E20 fuel became the standard petrol variant in India last year, following the achievement of 20% ethanol blending.
• The announcement comes amidst public concerns regarding potential reduction in mileage and engine wear in older vehicles not designed for higher ethanol blends.

Detailed Insights:

• E20 fuel consists of 80 parts petrol and 20 parts ethanol, aiming to reduce India's dependence on crude oil imports and lower carbon emissions.
• Vehicles manufactured and sold after April 2023 are considered fully E20-compliant due to mandates under Bharat Stage-6 (BS-6) phase two emission norms.
• Most vehicles sold prior to 2023 are not inherently E20-compliant, raising concerns among owners about performance and longevity.
• The government maintains that while older vehicles might experience a 3-5% reduction in fuel economy, E20 fuel offers benefits like higher octane, superior anti-knock characteristics, and cleaner engine operation.
• Extensive studies and field trials involving various technical institutions and manufacturers have reportedly found E20 fuel safe for use, with legacy vehicles showing no significant abnormal wear or performance variation.
• The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), overseen by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims to enhance energy security, support farmers, and reduce environmental impact.
• India achieved its target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025-26, five years ahead of the original 2030 deadline set by the National Policy on Biofuels – 2018.
• The EBP has resulted in significant foreign exchange savings, reduced crude oil imports, lowered CO2 emissions, and provided financial benefits to farmers.
• The National Policy on Biofuels – 2018 expanded the feedstock for ethanol production beyond sugarcane molasses to include damaged foodgrain, maize, and other agricultural residues.

Key Concepts Involved:

• E20 Fuel: A blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, introduced as the standard fuel in India to promote cleaner energy and reduce import dependency.
• Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP): A government initiative to mix ethanol with petrol, driven by objectives of energy security, environmental sustainability, and agricultural support.
• National Policy on Biofuels – 2018: A policy framework by the Indian government to promote the production and use of biofuels, setting targets like 20% ethanol blending in petrol.
• Bharat Stage-6 (BS-6) emission norms: India's vehicle emission standards, with Phase Two (effective April 2023) mandating E20 fuel compatibility for new vehicles.