Shafaqna India: The Bharat Independent Ethanol Producers Association (BIEPA) on Tuesday expressed concern over the spread of misleading information about E20 petrol on social media, stating that claims linking the fuel to engine damage, poor mileage and excessive water consumption are not supported by scientific evidence, industry testing or real-world operating data.
BIEPA said the growing volume of conflicting and unverified claims about E20 has created unnecessary confusion among consumers at a time when India’s ethanol blending programme is delivering measurable economic, environmental and energy security benefits.
The association said India’s nationwide rollout of E20 petrol marks a significant milestone in the country’s clean energy transition and urged consumers to rely on verified information from the government of India, vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies and scientific institutions rather than unverified online claims.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has helped India save over Rs 1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014–15 by reducing crude oil imports. The programme has also created a productive market for agricultural by-products and surpluses — including maize, broken rice, molasses and sugarcane — strengthening rural livelihoods while enhancing India’s energy security. GeographicReference
Pushpinder Singh, President, BIEPA, said India’s ethanol programme is built on years of scientific research, extensive vehicle testing and close collaboration between the government, oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers and ethanol producers.
“Consumers should have complete confidence in the quality and safety of E20 fuel sold across the country and rely on verified information rather than misinformation circulating on social media. Misinformation not only creates unnecessary anxiety but also undermines a nationally important programme that is strengthening India’s energy security and supporting millions of farmers,” he said.
