‘Safe, Consumer-Friendly, Economically Beneficial’: Centre Debunks Viral Claims On E20 Fuel

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 10:14 IST

The ministry noted that ethanol blending is a globally accepted practice and is widely used in countries such as the United States, Brazil and Japan.

The Union Government has dismissed what it called misleading and unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media about ethanol-blended petrol, E20 fuel asserting that India’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) is safe, consumer-friendly, and economically beneficial, scientifically validated and closely monitored by the government.

In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) were being circulated on social media, including allegations that E20 fuel could cause vehicle damage or impact insurance coverage.

The ministry said such claims had been examined and clarified with relevant stakeholders and were found to be incorrect. It added that no widespread incidents of engine failure or vehicle breakdown linked to ethanol blending have been reported since the rollout of E20 petrol.

The government also rejected viral social media content suggesting that sugarcane juice is directly mixed with petrol or that E20 fuel attracts insects. It explained that fuel-grade ethanol is produced through established industrial processes and undergoes strict quality checks before blending with petrol.

Referring to a widely shared video showing ants near a vehicle fuel tank, the ministry cited clarification from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), which stated that fuel ethanol contains no residual sugars and includes denaturants that repel insects. Claims linking E20 fuel to ant attraction have no scientific basis, it said.

“Recently, a video showing ants near a vehicle fuel tank was widely circulated on social media. In response, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) clarified that fuel-grade ethanol used for petrol blending is produced through fermentation and distillation processes that eliminate residual sugars from the final product. Further, fuel ethanol contains denaturants that are repellent to insects. There is no identifiable attractant associated with E20 fuel that would cause ants or other insects to congregate around vehicle fuel caps. Therefore, claims suggesting a link between E20 fuel and ant attraction have no scientific basis and are not supported by scientific evidence," the Petroleum Ministry said.

According to the ministry, ethanol blending has helped India save more than Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports. It has also created demand for agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane, maize and rice, benefiting farmers and strengthening the rural economy.

The ministry noted that ethanol blending is a globally accepted practice and is widely used in countries such as the United States, Brazil and Japan.

Reiterating its commitment to the programme, the government said ethanol blending plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security and supporting India’s transition towards cleaner mobility. It added that the programme will continue to be implemented in a safe, transparent and consumer-centric manner.

The Ethanol Blending Programme, launched in 2003, aims to reduce crude oil imports, improve energy security and promote cleaner fuels. The government said the programme is implemented in consultation with oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers and fuel testing agencies and is continuously monitored.

Ethanol blending is a globally accepted practice and is successfully implemented in several countries, including the United States, Brazil and Japan. Brazil has long adopted higher ethanol blending levels, with E27 serving as the standard petrol blend.

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Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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