E85 fuel launched: What happens to your E20-compliant vehicle now? Centre clears the air

📌 Summary:

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched E85 fuel on World Environment Day (June 5); E85 blends 80-85% ethanol with 14-19% petrol, versus E20 (up to 20% ethanol, 80% petrol)
• E85 is only for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs); regular E20/petrol cars cannot use it and will NOT be discontinued, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri clarified (countering viral misinformation)
• To push adoption, E85 is priced ~Rs 20/litre cheaper than petrol — Rs 82.12/litre in Delhi
• Govt data: shifting to E85 cuts greenhouse gas emissions ~61% vs standard fossil fuels
• FFV engines can run on blends from E20 to E100 (as in Brazil for decades); benefits cited: higher farmer income, lower crude-oil import dependence, stronger energy security, push for indigenous vehicles

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (ethanol blending programme, energy security, renewable/clean fuels, climate mitigation, farm incomes)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• E20 = up to 20% ethanol + petrol; E85 = 80-85% ethanol + 14-19% petrol; FFVs run E20 to E100
• E85 launched on World Environment Day (June 5), priced Rs 82.12/litre in Delhi
• E85 claimed to cut GHG emissions by ~61%; Brazil is the long-standing model for flex-fuel

🔑 Key Term: Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) — a vehicle with an engine able to run on multiple ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 up to E100.