Using E20 petrol? E10 vehicles may see lower mileage:Rubber components at risk; govt may delay 25% ethanol blend plan

Amid opposition to E20 fuel, the government may put on hold its plan to increase the ethanol content in petrol to 25% for now. Instead of rushing the transition, the government wants to implement it gradually and in a phased manner. The government had initially planned to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030. However, well ahead of that target, E20 fuel (80% petrol and 20% ethanol) has already been introduced as the standard petrol across the country and is now available at petrol pumps nationwide. Meanwhile, a study by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has found that using E20 fuel in older E10-compliant vehicles could damage the rubber components of the fuel system. However, this report has not yet been made public. Understand the whole matter in the answers to 10 questions Question 1: What is the main point that has emerged from this ARAI report? Answer: According to this ARAI report, using E20 fuel in E10 vehicles can damage the fuel system. This damages the rubber parts of the vehicle, such as pipes, gaskets, seals, and O-rings. The report states that these rubber parts may need to be replaced. Question 2: Has the report been released to the general public, and what is its significance? Answer: No, this study report has not been made public yet. However, this report remains a key reference point for policy making and technical improvements on this entire matter between the government and the country’s major vehicle manufacturers (OEMs). Question 3: What testing was done regarding the impact of E20 fuel on the engines of four-wheelers? Answer: According to the report, two OEMs conducted engine durability tests. In this, one manufacturer’s vehicle engine showed no problems after 400 hours of testing, and its performance was found to be correct with E20 fuel. However, the situation was different in the case of the second manufacturer. Question 4: What technical problem was observed in the vehicle of the second four-wheeler manufacturer? Answer: When the engine of the second OEM was tested for 809 hours, ‘thermomechanical failure’ was observed in its exhaust valve. However, experts in this matter say that there could be other reasons behind the exhaust valve failure. Question 5: What is ‘thermomechanical failure’ and what damage does it cause to the engine? Answer: Thermomechanical failure occurs when excessive heat and rapid, repetitive movement (mechanical stress) combine. Due to the combined pressure of these two, the engine’s exhaust valve can bend, crack, or completely break. Question 6: What difference was found in the testing of BS-IV and BS-VI engine four-wheelers? Answer: The report states under the 4-wheeler engine durability test that during testing, the performance of a BS-IV engine with E20 fuel was acceptable. In contrast, a problem was observed in a BS-VI turbocharged engine only after 265 hours of durability testing. Question 7: What was the result of this testing on two-wheelers? Answer: According to the report, engine durability tests were conducted by three two-wheeler manufacturers. No problems were found in the engines during these tests. They have been found acceptable with E20 fuel. Question 8: Does E20 fuel adversely affect the metallic parts or emissions of vehicles? Answer: No, this study found that E20 fuel has no adverse effect on the metallic components of all tested vehicles. Furthermore, even when E20 fuel was used in E10-compliant vehicles, the emissions from the silencer were found to be within the prescribed legal limits. Question 9: What was the effect on vehicle mileage or fuel consumption? Answer: ARAI’s study concluded that using E20 fuel increases vehicle fuel consumption by 2% to 6% compared to E10 fuel. This means vehicle mileage decreases. However, this increase in fuel consumption varies depending on the vehicle model and category. Question 10: What effect was observed on vehicle starting, driving, and evaporative emissions? Answer: According to the report, the evaporative emissions of vehicles with E20 fuel were also found to be completely within legal limits. Additionally, the startability (ease of starting) and drivability (driving performance) of vehicles with E20 fuel were also found to be perfectly fine. Government had said – No evidence of damage to vehicles was found in testing In a recent press conference, experts from the government said that no evidence of damage to vehicles was found in large-scale testing. Experts held the press conference amidst claims circulating on social media regarding vehicle performance. Besides Vertika Shukla, former CMD of Engineers India Limited, Bajaj Auto’s Circle Head Manpreet Singh, and TVS’s Senior Vice President Prashant Krishnan were present at this press conference. He was also joined by Vikram Gulati, Country Head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki, Puneet Anand of Hyundai India, and Ashutosh Verma of Hero Moto. Government may postpone its decision on 25% ethanol blending in petrol Amid opposition to E20 fuel, the government may currently advance its plan to increase the ethanol content in petrol to 25%. The government wants to implement this transition gradually and systematically, rather than in a hurry. The government initially planned to blend 20% ethanol in petrol by 2030. However, E20 fuel (80% petrol and 20% ethanol) has been implemented as standard petrol across the country much earlier than this target, and now this petrol is available everywhere.