E20 can cut mileage: Gadkari
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday clarified that ethanol blended petrol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by two to six per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said E20 fuel provides better acceleration, improved ride quality and approximately 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel. Gadkari said a study to evaluate the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10 (Petrol) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out jointly by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
“The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage. The tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and vehicle tests on road have not shown any failures due to E20,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met representatives of Team Bharat, an outfit that is spearheading the protests against the alleged rushed implementation of E20 petrol on July 31.
Critics have questioned whether all vehicles are fully compatible with E20, flagged the possibility of reduced fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs, and sought clarity on liability if engine or fuel-system problems arise.
Gadkari, in his written reply, claimed that ethanol blended petrol programme commenced with a pilot in 2001, E5 was introduced in 2006, and although blending remained around 1.53 per cent in 2013-14, it has since been increased progressively in a calibrated manner after creating the necessary production capacity, infrastructure and regulatory framework.
The minister explained that the Ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme has been implemented through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.
According to him, E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for over three-and-a- a-half years and E19-E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years.
“Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel,” he said, adding that manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20 fuel, providing further confidence in its safety and reliability.
