Although ethanol is promoted as a significant step towards reducing fuel imports and decreasing pollution by blending with gasoline, it raises safety concerns when mixed with diesel fuel. Amid debates surrounding E20 gasoline, the central government has made an important decision regarding the blending of ethanol with diesel fuel: such blending will not proceed at this time.
Following tests conducted by the government, it was established that diesel fuel loses a critically important safety parameter—the Flash Point—when ethanol is added. This could increase the risk of ignition during storage, transportation, and handling of the fuel. Consequently, the government has ruled that ethanol will not be added to diesel fuel for the time being.
State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, informed Rajya Sabha that state oil companies conducted an examination of ethanol and diesel fuel blending through their research centers. Certified laboratories, automotive companies, and other technical institutions participated in this check to confirm the impact of the blending on diesel fuel.
The results showed that adding ethanol significantly lowers the flash point of diesel fuel. The Minister noted that ethanol-blended diesel fuel does not meet established flash point standards, leading to the government's decision to temporarily suspend the plan to blend ethanol with diesel fuel.
The flash point is a key safety indicator for any type of fuel. Simply put, it is the minimum temperature at which fuel vapors can ignite upon contact with an external heat source or spark. The lower the flash point, the easier it is for the fuel to catch fire. This presents a serious risk during the storage of diesel fuel, transport in tankers, and underground storage at gas stations. This is why the government distanced itself from the idea of blending ethanol with diesel fuel after receiving the test results.
It is important to understand that a low flash point does not mean the fuel will spontaneously combust at that temperature; external factors, such as fire or a spark, are required for that to happen.
Following questions about diesel fuel, inquiries arose regarding increasing the proportion of ethanol in gasoline. The government clarified that no decision has been made yet to add more than 20 percent ethanol to gasoline. Suresh Gopi stated in Rajya Sabha that the decision to further increase the blending of ethanol in E20 gasoline has not yet been made. If a decision is made in the future to increase the ethanol content, it will be based on scientific and technical research, as well as consultations with all stakeholders, including automotive companies, state oil companies, and research institutes.
The government considers E20 gasoline completely safe. According to the statement, this type of fuel underwent various laboratory tests and field trials conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), India Oil Corporation, the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Automobile Industries, and automotive companies. These checks covered aspects such as engine life, driving experience, engine starting, corrosion, and fuel compatibility with various materials, as well as fuel efficiency. In all these cases, E20 gasoline proved to be more reliable and safer.
According to the government, using E20 has not led to significant changes or performance losses in vehicles already operating on the roads. The Minister mentioned that E15+ fuel has been used on a large scale for over three years, and E19-E20 fuel has been in operation for over two and a half years. According to the government, over 20 million two-wheeled vehicles and more than 3 million passenger cars in the country run on ethanol-blended fuel. To date, there is no confirmed evidence linking mass engine failure or vehicle breakdowns directly to ethanol blending.
In conclusion, the government has halted the blending of ethanol with diesel fuel due to safety concerns related to the reduction of the flash point. Meanwhile, the decision to move beyond 20 percent ethanol in gasoline (E20) has not yet been made. The government emphasized that any further steps will only be taken after conducting scientific research, technical investigations, and consultations with all relevant automotive industry sectors.
