Gadkari calls campaign against E20 petrol 'paid'; Centre allows flex-fuel vehicles to run on E100

Ethanol-blended petrol sparked a major controversy in the country a few months ago. Motorists complained of lower mileage, and fears were also raised about the fuel's effect on the engines of older vehicles. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has now spoken on the row. He claimed that the agitation against E20 petrol was a "paid campaign".

Gadkari made the remark at an event of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He said there was large-scale opposition to E20 petrol about three months ago. According to Gadkari, an atmosphere was deliberately created on the issue. He also said the protest has subsided for now.

Meanwhile, the Centre has notified an amendment to the motor vehicle rules. Under the change, flex-fuel vehicles have been permitted to run on E100 fuel. E100 is fuel that contains 100 per cent ethanol.

However, the permission does not mean that every petrol vehicle can be run on E100. The vehicle must be capable of using flex fuel. E100 should not be put in a vehicle that does not have this facility. Owners should therefore check the fuel instructions in the vehicle's manual.

According to Gadkari, greater use of alternative fuels can reduce India's dependence on crude oil. In the coming period, ethanol production, fuel options and vehicle technology could gain more importance. Even so, vehicle owners must follow the fuel instructions given in their vehicle's manual.

E20 petrol contains 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol. Its aim is to reduce crude oil imports and increase the use of ethanol. In some vehicles, a difference in mileage may be felt when E20 is used. How much the difference will be depends on the vehicle model, the engine design and the properties of the fuel.