₹30 per liter saved on petrol due to ethanol:Govt says Delhi petrol would cost ₹125/l without ethanol blending; currently ₹102/l

When crude oil prices reached $135 per barrel in the international market, if oil companies had not blended ethanol in petrol, the price of petrol in Delhi would have reached approximately ₹125 per liter. The Ministry of Petroleum stated this on Friday while responding to claims related to the cost of the ethanol program, its impact on food security, and taxpayer subsidies. The ministry clarified that this program saved approximately ₹30 per liter on petrol during the crisis. E20 Petrol is currently ₹102 per liter in Delhi According to the Ministry of Petroleum, despite the increase in crude prices in the global market, consumers in the country received petrol at ₹94.77 per liter. The reason for this was that domestically procured ethanol, purchased at pre-determined prices, constituted 20% of every liter of petrol. This is why retail prices were protected from the sharp surge in crude. After the start of tension and conflict in West Asia on February 28, the government kept the prices of petrol and diesel stable for about 75 days. After this, prices were increased by 7.5 rupees per liter in May. Currently, in Delhi, the price of standard E20 petrol (91-octane) is 102.12 rupees per liter, while 100-octane petrol is available at 169 rupees per liter. Grain for the poor or FCI rice not diverted The Ministry of Petroleum completely rejected the allegations that food grains meant for the poor were being diverted for ethanol production. The government clarified that subsidized rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is not being used to run or support this program. Impact on mileage: Efficiency can decrease by 2 to 6% The Ministry of Road Transport cited a study by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Informing the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the ministry stated that when BS-III, BS-IV, and BS-VI vehicles designed for E10 fuel are run on E20, their mileage (fuel efficiency) can decrease by 2 to 6% depending on their capacity and age. Earlier, on July 20, the Ministry of Petroleum had informed the Rajya Sabha that this reduction in mileage in such vehicles remains limited to approximately 3-5%. E20 Implemented After Scientific Investigation Both ministries emphasized that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program has been implemented in a thoroughly scientifically tested and phased manner. As production capacity and infrastructure developed in the country, blending levels were also gradually increased. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that the decision to shift to E20 was taken only after complete testing and validation of the fuel system, engine robustness, drivability, material compatibility, and emission performance. Throughout this entire process, continuous consultations were held with vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies (OMCs), and the sugar and grain industries. No impact on over 23 crore vehicles Citing lab studies and real-world data, the government stated that the use of E20 fuel has not had any adverse or negative impact on the overall performance of vehicles. Over 20 crore two-wheelers and more than 3 crore petrol cars currently on the roads are running on these ethanol-blended fuels. No authentic or verified case of engine damage due to ethanol blending has been reported.