Top News

E85 Fuel: Could your car or bike's fuel costs drop in the near future? If you commute daily to work, college, or for other tasks, this news is for you.

E85 Fuel: The central government is now preparing to introduce E85 fuel. According to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the proposal is to price this fuel approximately ₹20 per liter lower than E20 petrol. However, not every vehicle owner will benefit, as this fuel is designed exclusively for Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).

The government states that this move will reduce fuel expenses for the public, boost ethanol blending, and decrease India's dependence on crude oil imports.

What exactly is E85 fuel, and will it work in your vehicle?

E85 is a fuel blend containing up to 85% ethanol, with the remainder being petrol. It is not standard petrol, so it cannot be used in just any vehicle. You can only use E85 if you own a Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV); it is not suitable for vehicles that run on regular petrol or E20 fuel.

Does E20 damage the engine?

For quite some time, claims have circulated on social media and elsewhere that ethanol-blended petrol damages engines. Addressing this, the Petroleum Minister clearly stated that such claims are not based on facts. He noted that vehicle manufacturers have not reported any major engine damage caused by E20. Even during the servicing of lakhs of vehicles, no evidence was found to suggest that E20 caused widespread engine issues. He added that earlier concerns regarding warranties and insurance related to E20 have now been resolved.

Lower mileage—so why is E85 significant?

The Minister acknowledged that the calorific value (energy content) of ethanol is lower than that of petrol. This could result in a slight reduction in mileage when using high-ethanol fuels like E85. However, the government believes the benefits outweigh this drawback.

According to the government, the benefits of E85 and ethanol blending include:

• Helping to keep fuel prices lower.
• Facilitating a reduction in crude oil imports.
• Saving foreign exchange.
• Benefiting farmers through increased demand for ethanol.
• Strengthening the country's energy security.
• Promoting the use of clean fuel.
• Reinforcing the goal of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).

What is the update on E25, and what lies ahead?

The Petroleum Minister stated that E25 petrol is currently in the testing phase and has not yet been launched in the market. He reiterated that the government is working to promote not only ethanol-based fuels but also electric vehicles (EVs). This means the plan for India's future fuel policy involves moving forward with a combination of biofuels and electric mobility.