# Government Debunks Ten Viral Myths About E20 Ethanol Petrol, Point By Point

> The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a ten-point clarification saying claims circulating on social media about 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol are false, and that the programme rests on scientific study.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Auto · **Published:** 2026-07-04 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/auto/ethenola-vale-e20-petrola-para-aphavahon-ki-bharamara-sarakara-ne-eka-eka-dave-ka-diya-javaba-4569 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** E20 petrol, ethanol fuel, Petroleum Ministry, ARAI trials, ethanol programme, vehicle engine, fact check

Amid a flood of conflicting claims on social media about India's E20 programme, the government stepped in on Friday to set the record straight. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the information going viral about petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol is completely misleading. Addressing the worries one by one across ten points, the ministry stressed that the entire programme is built on scientific study, global experience and regulatory safety measures. Under the scheme, up to 20 percent ethanol is blended into petrol.

 

## How true is the water consumption claim
 The most talked-about claim was that producing one litre of ethanol supposedly guzzles 10,000 litres of water. The ministry rejected this outright. According to the government, ethanol is made only from the surplus rice that is left over after the country's food security needs have been met. In reality, producing a litre of ethanol uses only around 3 to 5 litres of processed water, and that water is now recycled through a Zero Liquid Discharge system. The ministry also pointed out that maize has increasingly become the main raw material for ethanol. Maize cultivation needs far less water than paddy, which is why it is being actively encouraged.

 

## Long trials on cars and two-wheelers
 On the question of the effect on vehicles, the government laid out figures. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) ran trials of about 40,000 kilometres on cars and 20,000 kilometres on two-wheelers. These tests found no major negative impact on vehicle performance or fuel efficiency. Only some change in mileage was observed.

 

## Many countries already use it
 The ministry reminded people that ethanol-blended fuel is nothing new. The United States, Brazil, Canada, Japan and several European countries have been using it for a long time. Claims about engine damage or voided warranties were also dismissed. According to the ministry, auto companies and insurance companies have already clarified that both the warranty and the insurance of vehicles built for E20 remain valid.

 

## Rumours about ants, bees and engine harm
 Another claim doing the rounds was that E20 fuel draws ants and bees towards vehicles. The ministry called this baseless too. The government further clarified that the discussion around the E20 programme in the Supreme Court concerned contractual matters, not any question over the scientific usefulness of the policy. On allegations of engine damage or rusting of vehicle parts, the government said ARAI carried out its study together with Indian Oil Corporation, the Indian Institute of Petroleum and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

 

## The fuel tank water and sugarcane juice claim
 One more fear being spread was that E20 could let water get into a vehicle's fuel tank. The ministry rejected this as well. Similarly, a viral video claiming that sugarcane juice is mixed into petrol was dismissed as fabricated. The government made it clear that fuel ethanol is produced through industrial processes, not in that manner.

## What this means for you
- **For vehicle owners:** The government says the warranty and insurance of E20-ready vehicles stay valid, so there is no need to panic over rumours of engine damage or rejected claims.
- **On daily life:** Trials showed only some change in mileage, meaning your fuel costs may vary slightly, but no major hit to overall performance was reported.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is E20 petrol?
It is petrol blended with up to 20 percent ethanol. The programme is based on scientific study and regulatory safety measures.

### 2. Does making one litre of ethanol really use 10,000 litres of water?
No, the government has rejected this claim. In reality, producing a litre of ethanol uses only around 3 to 5 litres of processed water, which is also recycled.

### 3. Does E20 damage a vehicle's engine or void the warranty?
According to the government, no. Auto and insurance companies have clarified that the warranty and insurance of E20-ready vehicles remain valid.

### 4. How many kilometres of trials did ARAI conduct?
ARAI ran trials of about 40,000 kilometres on cars and 20,000 kilometres on two-wheelers, finding no major negative impact on performance.

### 5. Does E20 fuel attract ants and bees?
No, the government has called this viral claim completely baseless.

### 6. What was the Supreme Court discussion about E20?
According to the government, it concerned contractual matters, not any question over the scientific usefulness of the policy.

### 7. Which countries use ethanol-blended fuel?
The United States, Brazil, Canada, Japan and several European countries have been using it for a long time.

---
_TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._