New Delhi, December 11 (IANS). Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday that mixing ethanol in petrol has not had any negative impact on vehicles. Also, this resulted in saving of foreign exchange of Rs 1.40 lakh crore and farmers have also benefited.
Gadkari said that the introduction of E20 petrol is an important step towards a clean and green future. Ethanol blended petrol reduces pollution and reduces the country’s dependence on expensive fuel imports.
He further said that this has provided about Rs 40,000 crore to farmers for the supply of raw materials like sugarcane and maize used in ethanol production.
Responding to a question related to compatibility of vehicles with E10 and E20 fuel standards, Gadkari shared details of the government policy.
He said vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to declare whether a model is compatible with E20 fuel, and this information must be displayed through a clearly visible sticker on the vehicle.
The Union Minister said that vehicles sold before April 1, 2023 are compatible with E10 fuel, while vehicles sold after this date are compatible with E20 standards.
He further said that safety norms for E20 fuel have been established through BIS specifications and automotive industry standards and tests have shown that there are no issues with vehicle handling, starting or compatibility of metal and plastic components.
Gadkari also told the House that there is no need to phase out or modify old vehicles that do not comply with E20 standards.
He said a study conducted by ARAI, IOCL and SIAM has confirmed that normal wear and tear caused by the use of ethanol-blended fuel can be controlled through regular servicing and no special retrofitting program is required.
“The program of blending ethanol in petrol has resulted in reduction of about 790 lakh metric tonnes of carbon emissions and replacement of more than 260 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil,” the Union minister said.
–IANS
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