While there is controversy and protest in the country over the Indian Government’s decision to introduce E20 i.e. 20% ethanol blended petrol, the neighboring country Bhutan has refused to accept E20 petrol from Indian Oil Companies (OMCs). According to the report of Bhutanese media ‘The Bhutanese’, Bhutan has requested India to supply them only old petrol without adulteration as long as normal petrol is available in the Indian market. Old storage and water leakage are the biggest reasons According to Bhutan officials, the country’s fuel storage infrastructure is quite old. The fuel tanks of the petrol pumps there are built underground, which poses a risk of water seepage. Compared to normal petrol, ethanol blended E20 petrol contains hydroxyl group, which absorbs moisture from the air or surroundings very fast (hygroscopic nature). If E20 petrol is stored in tanks where there is water leakage, water will mix with the petrol. It is very difficult to separate this water from petrol. Apart from this, having water in the tank also increases the risk of rusting of steel tanks and pipelines, which can damage the engines of vehicles. Concern about the performance of vehicles on hilly roads: The area of Bhutan is completely hilly and undulating. To move vehicles on such uphill roads, maximum power is required. Bhutanese officials fear that petrol mixed with ethanol will not be able to give the same performance and power to vehicles on hilly roads that normal petrol gives. Why is there opposition to E20 petrol in India? There is opposition in India against this mixture of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol (E20). Especially the owners of petrol vehicles manufactured before 2023 are worried. They claim that with this fuel the mileage of vehicles is decreasing, maintenance costs have increased and engine parts are getting damaged quickly. However, the Government of India says that ethanol does cause a slight reduction in mileage, but it improves the pickup and engine performance of the vehicle. How will Bhutan know that petrol is adulterated? Bhutan buys all its fuel needs from India. At present, Bhutan purchases expensive and high-export quality petrol and diesel from India, which is purer and more expensive than the fuel available at Indian petrol pumps. Officials say that even if India accidentally sends E20 petrol to Bhutan, it can be easily caught. As soon as even a little water is added to ethanol petrol, its color becomes milky, which will be immediately detected during the test. Considering the challenges of advance notice and demand for leak-proof tanks, the Bhutan government has asked Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to inform in advance if they increase the blending percentage of ethanol in future or decide to supply only ethanol petrol. Besides, Bhutan has also requested India to provide leak-proof tanks.
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भूटान का भारत से E20 पेट्रोल लेने से इनकार: कहा- गाड़ियां खराब होने का खतरा, हमें नॉर्मल पेट्रोल ही दें
