Bhutan not importing E20 fuel from India, says ‘high chance of major engine issues if...’
Bhutan will not be importing E20 petrol from India anytime soon, the country's Department of Trade clarified last week, according to a local report. The
Bhutan will not be importing E20 petrol from India anytime soon, the country's Department of Trade clarified last week, according to a local report. The Bhutanese claimed that Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been offering to supply E20 petrol to Bhutan, but Bhutan has so far resisted. Why Bhutan does not want to import E20 fuel The report flagged concerns raised by critics in India about vehicle breakdowns and reduced mileage. It also cited the Department of Trade as saying that, unlike normal MS (petrol), ethanol-blended petrol contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, making it hygroscopic in nature, meaning it readily absorbs and mixes with water. Once water contaminates ethanol-blended fuel, the water and fuel cannot be separated easily, which is likely to affect fuel quality and vehicle performance. “Further, considering the existing condition and quality of several of the underground storage tanks maintained by fuel dealers, the import and handling of ethanol-blended fuel may pose challenges in ensuring fuel quality and preventing contamination,” the Bhutanese quoted the department as saying. 'There is high chance of major engine issues if...' An official told the media outlet that many of Bhutan’s fuel tanks are very old. Given their age and the Himalayan terrain, it is expected that there may be some slight seepage of water into the fuel tanks. The official said that if E20 is stored in such tanks, the ethanol component of the fuel will absorb water, which will both dilute the fuel and change its chemical composition. The official added that, in such a scenario, there is a high chance of major engine issues, and the vehicle may even fail to run.
He reportedly said this would quickly become a public issue and then a media issue. An official with Tashi BOD, the nation’s largest fuel distributor, also said that, currently, fuel stations in Bhutan cannot handle ethanol due to water seepage, which would destroy the fuel. He further claimed that E20 is particularly unsuited to hilly terrain like that in Bhutan due to groundwater and seepage issues. Even without those concerns, vehicles require more power on hills, and E20 will not deliver optimal performance. Request to supply normal petrol The Department further informed that, in view of these concerns, the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)/OMCs in India were requested during technical meetings to continue supplying normal petrol for Bhutan as long as such fuel remains available in the Indian market. “Even in the event that India transitions to higher levels of ethanol blending or eventually adopts fully ethanol-blended petrol, Bhutan has requested that advance notice be provided," the statement shared by the local report read. It added, "This would allow fuel dealers, in collaboration with PSUs/OMCs, sufficient time to upgrade underground storage tank infrastructure and related fuel handling systems to ensure leak-proof and seepage-free storage facilities capable of safely handling ethanol-blended fuels.” When asked how Bhutan could know whether OMCs sent E20 to Bhutan, intentionally or by mistake, the official told The Bhutanese that it would be evident even without testing, as the fuel would turn milky if even a small amount of water entered it. He said this would likely happen given Bhutan’s fuel tanks, which have some seepage. Why does Bhutan need advance notice before accepting E20 fuel The official said that if Bhutan is ever mandated to accept E20 fuel, advance notice must be given so there is enough time to overhaul the entire fuel storage and transportation system.
The BriefWire