There is an uproar regarding E-20 fuel. Perhaps the government had no idea that ethanol blended petrol would spark such debate and controversy. At present E-20 is the most trending topic in the country, due to which people are angry. There are serious allegations against the government and amidst all the controversy, the opposition is trying to increase political mileage. At the same time, the government has admitted that E-20 fuel can reduce the mileage of vehicles by 3 to 5 percent, but people driving old cars on the road are claiming a 20 to 30 percent reduction.

People are also asking the government what will be done on crores of old vehicles in the country. E-20 Was any independent and long-term investigation conducted to determine its impact, and if so, why was that data not shared with the public? There is also a question that if the engine or fuel system of the vehicle gets damaged due to E20, then who will bear the expenses and responsibility? Government, oil companies or the common man who is complaining?

People are concerned about these questions. There is a fear of the car getting damaged. There are many videos which are viral on social media, although the government is calling such videos as mere propaganda, but amid this claim, a statement from the government has come, which has further intensified the fire of discussion regarding E-20.

Reduction in vehicle mileage due to E-20?

During an interview, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari admitted that E-20 may reduce the mileage of the vehicle. He told that the calorific value of ethanol i.e. energy capacity is less than petrol, hence a slight reduction in mileage is possible with E20 petrol. However, he also said that the difference in mileage also depends on the way and place of driving, but Gadkari again clarified one thing - E20 does not cause any fault in the engine of the vehicles and claimed that an attempt is being made to set a wrong narrative on ethanol.

Now that the government has accepted the issue of low mileage, people are asking – why should they pay the price of petrol containing ethanol? These questions are being raised on E-20

• Why didn't people get the option to choose between 100% petrol and E20?
• Was the use of E-20 fuel imposed on common people?
• Why is the price of petrol not reduced even after adding ethanol?
• After the introduction of E-20 fuel, did the adulterators also become successful?
• Who will bear the expenses if parts of old vehicles get damaged due to E-20?
• Falling mileage of E-20 is not a harm to the common man's pocket?

The government is saying the mileage drop is only 3-5%, but the old car owners on the road are complaining of 20 to 30% mileage drop. Where is this difference coming from and whose figure is correct? However, amid these concerns of the people, a news has come which the opponents of the government are calling its U-turn. According to sources, the government is considering such an option, which people are also demanding.

• Now you can get the option of fuel at the petrol pump.
• The government is considering such a formula, after which people will be able to fill the petrol of their choice in the car.
• It is claimed that the government is now considering giving the option of normal petrol at petrol pumps.
• However, before any decision the price, machines and necessary preparations will be discussed.

Although even before the implementation of E-20 fuel, there was a discussion on maintaining the option of normal petrol, but at that time the oil companies were not ready for it, but in view of the opposition from the people, now it can be considered. However, some answers have come from the government on the questions regarding E-20.

The question is – Does E-20 fuel reduce the mileage of the vehicle?

So the government has accepted that the mileage may decrease by 3% to 5%, but its argument is that the benefits in return outweigh the losses. E-20 fuel improves engine performance. Pickup is fast. Also pollution is reduced.

One question is – was ethanol fuel introduced hastily and without preparation?

The government's answer is...no...it was implemented after a thoughtful and long process. This took years of scientific investigation and several stages of testing, long discussions were held with car and bike manufacturing companies and then the work of mixing ethanol in petrol was done in a phased manner.

The question is – Is E-20 fuel causing problems in vehicles?

The government's answer to this is... No... Only rumors are being spread regarding E-20 fuel. The government argues that big companies like Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp have serviced crores of vehicles, but no one has complained about rust or malfunction in the vehicles due to E20.

Demand for fuel option

Some people are demanding from the government that along with E-20, E-10 and normal fuel should also be available on petrol, but the government argues that there are currently more than 1 lakh petrol pumps in India. That is why it is difficult to provide an alternative to normal petrol...E-10 and E-20, because laying separate tanks and pipelines for 3 different types of fuel is expensive and challenging.

However, the government's argument is also that the purpose of ethanol fuel is not to reduce the price of petrol, but to reduce India's dependence on foreign crude oil because it is saving the country's foreign exchange. What does FICR's fact sheet say on this?

• According to the government, more than Rs 1 lakh 97 thousand crore foreign exchange has been saved since 2014.
• There has been a reduction of about 952 lakh tonnes in carbon emissions.
• From 2014 till now, more than Rs 1 lakh 66 thousand crore has been paid to the farmers.
• Whereas 316 lakh tonnes of crude oil had to be imported less.

After all, why did such a situation arise before the government? Why has the discussion of providing an alternative to normal petrol with E-20 now started? The reason is opposition to ethanol containing petrol E-20.

• Many videos against E-20 have gone viral.
• The claim is that there has been a decrease in the mileage of the vehicle due to E-20 fuel.
• There are also claims of the vehicle getting damaged due to this fuel.
• There is still confusion among people regarding the use of E-20 in old vehicles.
• And people are demanding that they should get the option to choose petrol.

However, if it is decided to provide both types of petrol, then the big challenge will be to decide their price. Also, additional dispensers for different fuel will be required at petrol pumps, but people argue that the government should do anything. There should be an option of normal petrol at the petrol pump.

Why is this being discussed?

For some time now, many things have come to light regarding E-20 petrol. Some drivers say that this causes a slight reduction in mileage. At the same time, some people have also raised questions regarding its use in their old vehicles. Keeping these things in mind, the government is now preparing to take opinions from all parties.

Bureau Report, TV9 Bharatvarsh

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