Ethanol Key to Reducing Imports: Gadkari

Concerns are rising across the country that increasing the ethanol (E20) percentage in petrol and diesel could damage vehicles. Responding to these fears, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari clarified that ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol, and a higher ethanol blend may slightly reduce vehicle mileage. However, he emphasized that studies and observations of vehicles running on higher ethanol blends show that the reduction in mileage is minimal and does not cause any damage to engines.

Gadkari further stated that India currently imports fossil fuels worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore annually, including petroleum, coal, and natural gas, which are also major contributors to pollution. He stressed that promoting indigenous fuels like ethanol is essential to reduce imports and curb pollution. Dismissing claims on social media about vehicle damage due to ethanol blending, he termed them as misinformation. He even challenged critics to present a single instance of a car damaged due to E20 fuel. He also pointed out that Brazil has been successfully using ethanol-petrol blends since the 1970s, highlighting its global viability.