The Centre has once again stepped in to debunk concerns and myths surrounding ethanol-blended fuel, as the country moves towards the rollout of E25 petrol.Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed the controversy around E20 ethanol-blended petrol, calling the concerns a “misinterpretation”. He further added that automobile manufacturers and vehicle service providers have reported no difficulties with the fuel.“There is no controversy. There has been some misrepresentation. There are 20 crore two-wheelers and 20 lakh four-wheelers on the road using this fuel (ethanol). Automobile manufacturers and those who service these vehicles say there is no difficulty. So why this sudden interest?” he told ANI.Puri said that India had already been using E15 fuel for the last three-and-a-half years and E20 fuel since April last year. He clarified that there was no immediate move to introduce higher ethanol blends and said testing for E25 fuel was still underway.“We have been using E15 for the last three-and-a-half years and E20 since April last year. If someone is suggesting that we are rushing to introduce E25, that is incorrect. We have made it clear that tests are underway. Those tests will take time. Once the reports are available, we will evaluate them and then consult all stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers,” Puri said.
‘Car manufacturers are comfortable with E20’
The minister also rejected claims circulating on social media about E20 petrol, saying concerns over engine damage and other issues were not supported by evidence. He said vehicle manufacturers had expressed confidence in E20-compatible vehicles.“It is a misinterpretation and I don’t want to use stronger words,” Puri said.He added, “After all, I neither manufacture the cars nor the fuel. The car manufacturers are comfortable with E20. Each one of them has made a statement to that effect. Consumers also appreciate the product.”The debate around E20 fuel has intensified after reports and social media discussions raised concerns about reduced mileage, possible engine damage and speculation over higher ethanol blending levels.Puri said that India had been using E20 fuel nationwide since April last year and that any decision on moving towards higher blends would be taken only after testing and discussions with stakeholders.He also said the rollout of E85 fuel had recently begun and would take time as more fuel stations and supporting infrastructure would be required.
Gadkari bats for hydrogen-powered mobility
Meanwhile, Union minister for road transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made a strong pitch for hydrogen-powered mobility, saying he is already using hydrogen vehicles and that hydrogen-powered trucks and buses are set to arrive on Indian roads.Gadkari said that he personally uses multiple alternative-fuel vehicles and wants more people to adopt hydrogen technology. “I drive electric, flex-fuel and hydrogen vehicles; I have all three at home right now… Now, hydrogen trucks are arriving. I recently launched Tata’s hydrogen-powered trucks—one running on a hydrogen fuel cell and another new one that uses an internal combustion (IC) engine modified to run on hydrogen. Now, hydrogen buses are coming too. I am running a pilot project in Nagpur: hydrogen will be produced, filled into buses, and the buses will run…” he said.Gadkari said he owns all three types of vehicles at his residence and invited people to experience them. “I have all three cars in my house. Those who have understood, come to my house after the program, and take a ride in all three cars. I travel in a hydrogen car. It is better than Mercedes,” Gadkari said, adding that the experience convinced him about the technology’s potential.Gadkari said the focus is now shifting towards commercial vehicles, with hydrogen-powered trucks and buses being introduced.“Now, hydrogen trucks are arriving. I recently launched Tata’s hydrogen-powered trucks–one running on a hydrogen fuel cell and another new one that uses an internal combustion (IC) engine modified to run on hydrogen,” he said.He also outlined a pilot project in Nagpur for hydrogen-powered public transport.“Now hydrogen buses are coming too. I am running a pilot project in Nagpur: hydrogen will be produced, filled into buses, and the buses will run,” Gadkari said.“Hydrogen will be ready. We will fill it in the buses and the buses will run,” he added.Gadkari has been advocating a shift away from fossil fuels to reduce import dependence and emissions. At the conclave, he linked hydrogen with India’s wider alternative fuel push, which includes ethanol and electric vehicles.