STORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATION

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a detailed 10-point clarification to counter viral claims surrounding India's E20 ethanol-blended petrol programme. The government said scientific studies conducted by ARAI, Indian Oil, the Indian Institute of Petroleum and SIAM found no evidence that E20 causes engine damage or significantly affects vehicle performance, adding that only marginal changes in mileage were observed during extensive testing.The ministry also rejected claims that E20 voids vehicle warranties, attracts insects, allows water into fuel tanks, or is made by mixing sugarcane juice directly into petrol. It clarified that fuel-grade ethanol is produced through industrial processes and blended under strict quality standards, while modern vehicles and fuel infrastructure are designed to safely handle E20 fuel.Highlighting the benefits of the programme, the government said ethanol blending has helped save over ₹1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange, enabled payments of more than ₹1.6 lakh crore to farmers, reduced carbon emissions, and lowered crude oil imports. India achieved its 20% ethanol blending target in December 2025, ahead of schedule.