Panaji: The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has not received any complaints regarding E20 petrol, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Assembly on Tuesday. He said E20 petrol is being supplied and distributed by three Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) through 157 retail outlets since last year.
“Additionally, the Centre has also stated that they have not received any widespread or substantiated complaints regarding the use of E20 petrol with respect to fuel efficiency, engine performance, maintenance costs and the overall driving experience,” Sawant said.
He was responding to a calling attention motion by opposition MLAs Venzy Viegas, Vijai Sardesai and Cruz Silva regarding concerns raised by vehicle owners across Goa over E20 petrol. They said vehicles, particularly those manufactured before 2023, may face reduced mileage, performance concerns and increased maintenance costs.
The MLAs said the impact was particularly severe on taxi drivers and motorcycle pilots, whose vehicles are their livelihood and whose daily earnings are directly affected. They demanded that consumers be given the option to purchase pure, unblended petrol alongside E20.
Sawant said the Centre had taken note of certain concerns raised in the media and on social media, which had been scientifically examined.
“Extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, IOCL, IIP and automobile manufacturers covering parameters such as engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency have confirmed that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards,” Sawant stated.
The Government of India’s assessment was based not only on laboratory research but also on large-scale experience after nationwide implementation, he said, adding that ethanol was not a new fuel.
“It is equally important to note that India’s ethanol blending programme did not begin under the present government. A pilot ethanol blending programme was launched in 2001, formally announced in 2004, and E5 (5% ethanol blending) was rolled out across several states by 2006,” he stated.
