Prelims: Current events of national and international importance| Environment
Why in News
Recently, Union Government issued directions countering misleading social media claims regarding the quality, safety & impact of 20% Ethonal -Blended Petrol (E20).
- Initiated by – Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program
- Launch - In 2003 to enhance energy security by reducing oil imports & promote environmental sustainability.
- Stage Wise Rollout – Implemented Progressively based on technical preparedness, Fulfilling in the nationalwide rollout of E20 (20% ethanol blending) from 2023 onwards.
- Global Standards – It is Globally accepted practice. For example, Brazil uses E27 as its standard petrol blending, while countries like USA & Japan also employs high blending levels.
Technical details
- Ethanol absorbs moisture (Hygroscopic) – To Prevent water entering into fuel tanks, modern vehicles are equipped with structural safeguards.
- Feedstock- like Sugarcane juice, B-heavy molasses, damaged food grains like broken rice & Maize are used to produce Ethanol. Distillation & Fermentation Process completely eliminates residual sugars.
- "Ant Attraction" Myth – There is zero scientific basis linking E20 fuel attracting ants. Fuel-grade ethanol conforms to stringent industrial specifications and contains denaturants that act as insect repellents.
- Insurance Validity - Regulatory stakeholders have clarified that using government-mandated E20 fuel does not impact or invalidate vehicle insurance policies.
Ecological & Economic Significance
- Forex Savings: Around 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange has been saved by India by cutting expensive crude oil imports.
- Rural Economy - It provides a structured remunerative demand for farmers produce, boosting rural incomes, by using diverse domestic feedstocks.
- Climate Commitments - It directly aids India's transition toward cleaner mobility and helps meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for carbon emission reduction.
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What is Ethanol?
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- It is an anhydrous ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) with a high-octane rating, making it an excellent fuel extender when blended with petrol. In India, it is primarily produced as a biofuel under the National Policy on Biofuels.
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For Reference Click here : IAS Parliament | The Hindu
