Facing backlash, Government likely to delay higher 25% ethanol blend in petrol
Practice PYQs on this topic
500+ questions on Environment with explanations
📌 Summary:
-
Amid backlash over the rapid jump in ethanol blending from 10% to 20% in just three years, the government is likely to push back the shift to E25 fuel (75% petrol, 25% ethanol)
-
E20 is now the standard petrol nationwide, though the original E20 target was 2030 — the transition was advanced by five years; consumers report a perceptible drop in fuel economy and vehicular part damage in older cars
-
Two recent decisions had signalled intent to move beyond E20: central excise duty exemption for 22-30% ethanol-blended fuel, and BIS notification of fuel standards for these blends
-
Why higher blends hurt: ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol → mileage drops; ethanol burns at a higher temperature → harder cold starts; its hygroscopic nature (water uptake) risks corrosion and part damage in engines not designed for high blends; performance loss is non-linear as blending rises
-
Ethanol's advantages: higher octane number, low carbon content, reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, and income support to sugarcane/grain farmers
-
Government stance: a top-level meeting advised scientifically addressing genuine concerns, asking OEMs to respond to consumer complaints; transition beyond E20 to be "calibrated and graded" with sufficient ecosystem readiness time
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Ethanol Blending Programme, energy transition and decarbonisation of transport; balancing climate goals with consumer protection and technology readiness; food-vs-fuel debate
📝 Prelims Facts:
- E20 = 80% petrol + 20% ethanol; E25 = 75% petrol + 25% ethanol; E20 became standard nationwide about five years ahead of the original 2030 target
- BIS notified fuel standards for 22-30% ethanol blends; excise duty exemption granted for such blended fuel
- Ethanol: lower calorific value but higher octane number than petrol; hygroscopic (absorbs water)
🔑 Key Term: Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) — flagship biofuel programme mixing ethanol (from sugarcane, grains) into petrol to cut crude imports and emissions; India hit 20% blending in 2025-26, well ahead of target
UPSC Classification
See PYQs related to “Environment”
Every classification tag above links to actual UPSC questions asked on that topic — with answer, explanation and elimination logic. Only in the app.