The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has issued a formal rebuttal to misleading claims circulating on social media regarding India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. The government states that these claims appear aimed at confusing the public and generating viewership through sensationalism, with old images and videos being recirculated to create unwarranted concerns about ethanol-blended fuel.
The Ethanol Blending Programme was originally launched in 2003 with objectives of reducing crude oil imports, enhancing energy security, and promoting environmental sustainability. The programme has been implemented in a phased manner based on technical preparedness and stakeholder consultations, culminating in the rollout of 20% ethanol blending (E20) from 2023 onwards.
The Ministry emphasizes that the programme is scientifically validated and continuously monitored in consultation with oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, fuel testing agencies, and other stakeholders. Since the introduction of E20 petrol, no widespread issues of engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending have been reported.
Specific false claims addressed include videos showing sugarcane juice being mixed directly with petrol, which the Ministry clarifies is baseless as ethanol used for fuel blending is produced through established industrial processes and conforms to stringent quality specifications before blending. The Ministry also addresses a viral video showing ants near a vehicle fuel tank, noting that Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has clarified that fuel-grade ethanol undergoes fermentation and distillation processes that eliminate residual sugars, contains denaturants repellent to insects, and has no identifiable attractant that would cause ant congregation.
Additional false claims regarding E20 fuel affecting vehicle insurance validity were also noted as having been clarified by concerned stakeholders and found to be incorrect.
The programme has achieved significant economic benefits, saving the country over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange through reduced crude oil imports while creating sustained demand for agricultural feedstocks (including sugarcane juice, molasses, broken rice, and maize) used in ethanol production, thereby supporting farmers' incomes and strengthening the rural economy.
Ethanol blending is noted as a globally accepted practice successfully implemented in several countries including the United States, Brazil (which uses E27 as standard blend), and Japan. The government remains committed to implementing the programme in a safe, transparent, and consumer-centric manner guided by scientific evidence and continuous stakeholder engagement.