A recent study by IIT Kanpur has found no evidence that E20 petrol, a blend of 20% ethanol with gasoline, causes damage to vehicle engines. This finding aims to alleviate concerns surrounding the nationwide rollout of the ethanol-blended fuel.
The research also indicated that any impact on fuel efficiency is marginal, not exceeding 5%. This comes after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas previously acknowledged a potential mileage reduction of up to 5% in some vehicles, though it emphasized the environmental benefits outweighing this slight loss.
Extensive Testing Found No Engine Damage
Dhruv Raj Karana, Project Scientist at the Engine Research Laboratory in IIT Kanpur's Department of Mechanical Engineering, stated that the institute conducted "extensive testing." This research concluded that E20 does not lead to engine damage, corrosion, or other technical issues in either newer or older vehicle models.
Karana further elaborated that the laboratory's findings consistently show no significant decline in fuel efficiency directly attributable to E20. He suggested that mileage variations of up to 5% are not solely due to ethanol blending, as similar fluctuations can occur even during repeated tests with pure petrol.
Driving Conditions Influence Mileage More
According to Karana, factors such as driving habits, prevailing road conditions, and consistent vehicle maintenance play a far more significant role in determining fuel mileage than the E20 blend itself. He also dismissed claims circulating on social media regarding E20 causing engine damage as "scientifically unfounded." Karana advised motorists to consult their vehicle manufacturer's manuals and guidelines from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas over unverified online information.
Broader Research on Ethanol Blends
IIT Kanpur's Engine Research Laboratory, under the leadership of Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal, has been actively engaged in comprehensive research on various ethanol-blended fuels. The institute has even successfully tested E85 fuel, which contains 85% ethanol. However, such high blends necessitate specially designed engines and compatible fuel systems for safe and efficient operation.
The government has consistently defended the E20 rollout. In a recent document addressing criticisms of the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas described E20 as a "cleaner, higher-quality and more efficient fuel." The ministry affirmed that E20 was introduced only after "years of scientific testing, consultations with automobile manufacturers and the expansion of domestic ethanol production."