Does E20 petrol have sugarcane juice? Does it attract ants? Nitin Gadkari addresses viral claims
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has dismissed claims that E20 petrol contains sugarcane and attracts ants to vehicles as false. He
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has dismissed claims that E20 petrol contains sugarcane and attracts ants to vehicles as false. He urged people not to believe rumours circulating on social media. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led dispensation is promoting a shift from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives, including E20, an ethanol-blended petrol. However, the move has faced resistance from some motorists, with several claims on social media alleging that the fuel damages vehicles. One such claim involved a viral video showing ants swarming a car's fuel filler cap, with social media users alleging that the infestation was caused by E20 fuel in the vehicle's tank. In an interview with ABP News, Gadkari refuted the claims and explained that ethanol is a type of alcohol, not sugarcane juice or any other sweet substance. He said, āWhen you open a bottle of whisky or rum, do ants flock to it? Ethanol is a similar type of alcohol. Therefore, saying that E20 petrol is sweet or attracts ants is completely wrong.ā Quick answers to key questions ā¢ 5 QUESTIONS 1 Does E20 petrol really contain sugarcane juice?
āµ No, E20 petrol does not contain sugarcane juice. It is a blend of standard petrol and 20% ethanol, which is a type of alcohol, not a sugary substance. 2 Why are people concerned about using E20 petrol in their vehicles? āµ Concerns about E20 petrol stem from claims of lower fuel efficiency and potential engine damage. Some vehicle owners have reported reduced performance and higher maintenance costs after using the fuel. 3 How is E20 petrol expected to affect vehicle mileage? āµ E20 petrol may reduce fuel economy by around 3% to 5% in certain vehicles due to lower energy content compared to traditional petrol, though various factors can also impact mileage. 4 Should consumers worry about engine damage when using E20 petrol? āµ There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that E20 petrol damages engines. The government implemented E20 only after thorough testing to ensure vehicle compatibility. 5 What actions can consumers take if they experience problems with E20 petrol? āµ Consumers facing issues with E20 petrol can file complaints on the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' website, where each complaint will be investigated personally.
The Union minister said misinformation about E20 petrol was being deliberately spread. He added that his ministry had not yet received any official complaints related to E20 petrol. According to him, around 53 videos have surfaced on social media, but many of them contain false and misleading information. The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said that anyone facing a genuine problem with E20 petrol can file a complaint on the ministry's website. He assured the public that every complaint would be investigated personally. What is E20 petrol? E20 petrol is a blend of standard petrol and 20% ethanol. E20 petrol, as a fact, is an environmentally friendly fuel. In a significant move under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, India transitioned to a nationwide mandate requiring all petrol pumps to stock and supply E20 petrol as the standard fuel. Also Read | India plans up to 15% isobutanol blending in diesel amid biofuel push Clean fuels are fuels that produce much lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuels on a life-cycle basis. Also, any renewable substance that can be used as fuel other than the conventional fossil fuels is known as an alternative or Clean Fuel, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
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