New Delhi

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Tuesday reaffirmed that India's Ethanol Blending Programme is backed by scientific assessment and continuous monitoring, while cautioning the public against misleading content circulating on social media regarding Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP).

The ministry said that several old videos and images are being recirculated online to create unnecessary confusion about the use of ethanol-blended fuel, particularly E20 petrol.

Introduced in 2003, the Ethanol Blending Programme aims to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, strengthen energy security and support environmental sustainability. The initiative has been implemented in phases, culminating in the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) from 2023.

According to the ministry, the programme's implementation is regularly reviewed in consultation with oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, fuel-testing agencies and other stakeholders. It added that no widespread incidents of vehicle breakdowns or engine failures linked to E20 fuel have been reported since its introduction.

Addressing concerns about ethanol's ability to absorb moisture, the ministry noted that water contamination is undesirable for any type of fuel and not unique to ethanol blends. Modern vehicles, it said, are equipped with safeguards designed to prevent water from entering fuel systems.

The ministry also rejected viral social media videos claiming that sugarcane juice is directly mixed with petrol. It clarified that fuel-grade ethanol is produced through established industrial processes and must meet strict quality standards before being blended with petrol.

While ethanol can be derived from feedstocks such as sugarcane juice, molasses, maize and broken rice, the ministry explained that the final fuel product undergoes fermentation, distillation and other refining processes that fundamentally alter its composition and eliminate the characteristics of the original raw materials.

Officials further suggested that some of the circulating videos appear intended to generate sensationalism and increase online viewership rather than provide factual information.

The ministry also referred to a widely shared video showing ants near a vehicle's fuel cap. In response, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) clarified that fuel-grade ethanol contains no residual sugars because the production process removes them. Additionally, ethanol used in fuel blending contains denaturants that repel insects, making claims that E20 fuel attracts ants scientifically unfounded.

Similarly, assertions that using E20 petrol could invalidate vehicle insurance policies were examined and found to be incorrect, the ministry said.

Highlighting international practices, the ministry noted that ethanol blending is widely adopted across countries such as the United States, Brazil and Japan. Brazil, for instance, uses petrol blended with around 27 per cent ethanol as its standard fuel.

The government stated that the programme has helped India save more than ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports. It has also created sustained demand for agricultural feedstocks used in ethanol production, thereby boosting farmer incomes and supporting rural economic growth.

READ MORE: Bhiwandi mosque opened doors to NEET parents, showed way to brotherhood

Reiterating its commitment to the initiative, the ministry said ethanol blending contributes significantly to energy security, lower carbon emissions and the country's transition towards cleaner mobility solutions. It added that future implementation will continue to be guided by scientific evidence, stakeholder consultations and consumer interests.