Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday said the department had received no E20 petrol complaints alleging vehicle damage from owners or automobile experts.
Prabhakar made the statement while replying to a question raised by MLC Prof. Kodandaram on the impact of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol. He said the ethanol-blending programme was a Central Government initiative implemented through oil marketing companies.
Moreover, regulations covering vehicle safety, type approval and certification fell under the Central Motor Vehicles Act and related Central rules, he said. The Minister said E20 petrol had slightly lower energy content than conventional petrol. Therefore, its use could reduce vehicle pickup and mileage by about 3 to 5 per cent.
E20 petrol complaints absent, but mileage may decline
Prabhakar said certain vehicles could require spare-part replacements and minor adjustments while using ethanol-blended petrol. However, he said routine vehicle servicing would help ensure trouble-free operation.
The Minister also outlined three major benefits from ethanol blending. These included better returns for farmers, lower pollution and savings in foreign exchange. He said ethanol was produced using raw materials such as sugarcane juice and molasses.
Oil marketing companies then blended ethanol with petrol in specified proportions before supplying the fuel to petrol pumps, he added. Prabhakar said the State Transport Department did not need to issue specific guidelines at present.
He cited the absence of E20 petrol complaints from vehicle owners and automobile experts as the reason. The Minister also urged motorists not to be concerned about using E20 petrol. He maintained that the Transport Department had received no complaints linking ethanol-blended petrol with vehicle damage.