# Hardeep Singh Puri Takes On Ethanol Petrol Myths, Says Government Welcomes Every Bit Of Criticism

> Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed rumours about ethanol-blended petrol damaging engines during an event in Jodhpur, and invited public criticism and suggestions on the policy.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Auto · **Published:** 2026-07-04 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/auto/ithenola-mile-petrola-se-injana-kharaba-hone-ki-aphavahon-para-puri-ne-tori-chuppi-bole-alochana-ka-svagata-hai-4740 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Ethanol Blending, Hardeep Singh Puri, Ethanol In Petrol, E20 Petrol, Biofuel, Petroleum Ministry

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri used a public event in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to make an open case for the government's ethanol blending programme. He told the audience that anyone who spots a genuine flaw in the policy should say so without hesitation, promising that valid shortcomings would be fixed and good suggestions folded into the programme. Puri also used the platform to knock down rumours claiming that ethanol-blended petrol causes insects to breed inside vehicles and eventually makes engines fail. He stated plainly that no such incident has been reported in any vehicle so far. He added that ethanol blending itself is not a new idea, noting that several countries have been working on it for close to a century.

## Welcoming the criticism
The minister said social media has been flooded with posts and videos questioning biofuel blending over the past few days. He said he welcomes this kind of scrutiny rather than viewing it negatively. According to him, if anyone believes there is a genuine gap in what the government is doing, they should raise it, and the government will listen carefully. Puri assured that reasonable suggestions from the public would be incorporated into future policy, with changes made wherever necessary. He framed the government's approach as one of transparency rather than avoidance of criticism.

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## Debunking the insect and engine-failure rumours
Puri went into detail on two specific rumours doing the rounds. The first claimed that using ethanol-blended petrol would cause insects to infest vehicles. The second claimed it would damage engines, stall vehicles, or stop fuel pumps from working. The minister said neither has actually happened so far, and stated firmly that no such problem is expected in the future either, calling the fear entirely unfounded.

## A century-old idea, not a new experiment
Puri said that while ethanol blending might feel new to India, several parts of the world have been working on it for a long time. Scientists have researched it for years, he said, and the policy was only adopted after extensive large-scale trials. He stressed that the concept was not invented by his government, nor is it an Indian discovery, pointing out that work on it has been going on globally for roughly a century. He cited Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, noting that Ford ran cars in his time using biofuel, kerosene and fossil fuel. On India's own history, Puri said the first plan in this direction was drawn up during the Congress government. He recalled his time as India's ambassador to Brazil, particularly between 2006 and 2008, when Sharad Pawar was the country's Agriculture Minister. During that period, a target was set to achieve 5% biofuel blending combined across ten states and union territories, but the goal was not met and the figure stalled at just 1.4%.

## Ethanol in racing cars, and the mileage question answered
At a press conference in Delhi on Friday, Puri also addressed concerns about a drop in fuel mileage. He said some people claim ethanol blending reduces mileage, but pointed out that it is now well established that ethanol-blended fuel is used in racing cars, where it improves acceleration and reduces knocking. He acknowledged that mileage can dip slightly but said this happens for multiple reasons, not ethanol alone. Puri said the decision was not taken by the government in isolation, but only after consulting all stakeholders, including SIAM and ARAI. He also addressed a rumour that insurance would no longer cover vehicles running on ethanol-blended petrol, saying insurance companies have already clarified that no such rule exists. He questioned who benefits from spreading such false claims, while making clear he was not levelling any direct accusation at anyone. Puri said India's fast-growing consumer market is large enough to accommodate multiple technologies side by side, including electric vehicles and biofuel-blended vehicles. He noted that the country currently stands at 20 percent ethanol blending, and any move from 20 percent to 25 percent would happen only after all the necessary tests are fully completed.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** Owners of vehicles running on E20, petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol, can stay reassured since the government says it neither damages engines nor affects vehicle insurance.
- **For vehicle owners:** A slight dip in fuel mileage may be noticeable, but it stems from several factors, not ethanol alone, so there's no reason to fear engine damage.
- **What's next:** A move from 20 percent to 25 percent ethanol blending will happen only after all required tests are completed, meaning the current blending level continues for now.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where did Hardeep Singh Puri make this statement?
He spoke about ethanol blending at an event in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, while he answered mileage-related questions at a press conference in Delhi on Friday.

### 2. Does ethanol-blended petrol cause insects in vehicles?
According to the minister, this is just a rumour, and no such incident has been reported in any vehicle so far.

### 3. Can ethanol-blended petrol cause engine failure?
No, Puri clarified that no such case has come up so far and no such problem is expected in the future either.

### 4. Does ethanol-blended petrol affect vehicle insurance?
No, insurance companies have already clarified that no such rule exists.

### 5. What is India's current level of ethanol blending?
The country currently stands at 20 percent ethanol blending.

### 6. When will 25 percent ethanol blending be implemented?
According to the minister, the move from 20 percent to 25 percent will happen only after all necessary tests are completed.

### 7. When was India's first ethanol blending target set?
The first plan was drawn up during the Congress government, and between 2006 and 2008 a target of 5% biofuel blending was set across ten states and union territories, but it was not achieved and the figure stalled at 1.4%.

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