Industry Experts Say Ethanol Blending Programme Implemented Through Scientific, Phased Approach

New Delhi , July 04
Industry experts have said that ethanol blending programme has not been introduced overnight but has been implemented through a measured, step-by-step and scientifically driven process. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, former Chairman and Managing Director of Engineers India Limited Vartika Shukla said that ethanol blending programme was placed in the public domain for structured discussions and stakeholder consultations in 2018.

She added that the initiative is backed by scientific evidence, extensive testing by automobile manufacturers, the Automotive Research Association of India and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

On usage of E20 fuel in E10 cars, Senior Executive Officer at Maruti Suzuki Rahul Bharti said that Maruti has tested it internally and have not found any concern. He said that all cars sold since 2023 are fully E20 compatible. Mr Bharti said that older E10-compatible vehicles can safely use E20 fuel and there is no problem in terms of wear and tear, corrosion, or damage to the life of the car.

Speaking on the occasion, Country Head and Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motors Vikram Gulati said that ethanol is a clean fuel which offers good drivability and acceleration. He added that fuel itself is very good from a performance point of view. Mr Gulati said that in an era when people are facing the issue of climate change, this is a zero-carbon fuel derived from plants.