The Indian government does not intend to raise the mandatory ethanol blend in gasoline beyond the current 20% (E20) at this time, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Suresh Gopi, announced on Monday (20). The statement comes amid concerns about a possible expansion of the program and criticism that a higher ethanol content could reduce fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. According to the minister, E20 gasoline became the only fuel sold at the country's approximately 90,000 gas stations at the end of last year. He stated that the government is not considering a return to the E10 blend or to gasoline without ethanol, emphasizing that the strategy is to consolidate a fuel with a greater share of renewable sources. Gopi stressed that any decision on a possible increase in the blend above 20% will depend on detailed scientific and technical studies, as well as consultations with automakers, fuel distributors, and raw material suppliers. The minister also stated that the government has not received any complaints related to loss of vehicle performance, mechanical failures, corrosion, or problems with fuel pumps associated with the use of E20. According to the Indian government, vehicles originally designed to operate on E10 gasoline register only a marginal reduction of 3% to 5% in fuel efficiency when fueled with E20.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.