E20 – the “New Petrol”: What Will Happen to Your Car & Bike?
On 6th of February 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 20% ethanol gasoline, unveiled a solar and conventional energy-powered cooking system, and kicked off the India Energy Week in Bengaluru. Vehicles that run on E20 or flex-fuel are a wonderful way to address pollution without breaking the wallet. In addition, the Prime Minister has also launched the Green Mobility Rally to boost public awareness of green fuels and exhibit automobiles powered by renewable energy. With India now formally launching the retail distribution of E20 fuel, a combination of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline, the auto-sector has stepped up its efforts to support the government in completing its strong commitment to achieving the 20% ethanol blending target—advanced to fiscal 2025 from fiscal 2030—and reducing India’s emissions to zero by 2070. Oil marketing firms currently offer gasoline mixed with 10% ethanol as part of the gradual rollout of E20, up from 1.5% blending in gasoline in 2014. The government wants to attain a total 20% ethanol mix by 2025-2026, and the initiative has begun with E20 gasoline being made accessible at 84 retail outlets of OMCs in 11 states/UTs.
WHAT IS E20 FUEL?
The proportion of ethanol in the petrol blend is indicated by the “20” in “E20”. In other words, the greater the number, the bigger the proportion of ethanol in the fuel. The current ethanol-to-petroleum ratio in India is 10%, which is the highest level ever. Ethanol is produced without the need of crude oil since it is created from biomass. Ethanol is an organic compound. It is made by the fermentation of sugar cane, corn, vegetables or fruits; or by boiling we can extract ethanol. Basically, it’s a similar process by which alcohol is also extracted.
BENEFITS
As it can be produced in nearly any nation, ethanol fuel is the most affordable energy option. Since, E20 has the potential to drastically decrease pollution. It will significantly reduce the emission of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) all of which has an adverse effect on Climate change. Constant research is going on to utilize ethanol in a more productive way, in order to convert it into hydrogen, which will elevate it as a powerful alternative fuel source. Around 85% of India’s fuel demands are satisfied by imports now. Using fuel with a 20% ethanol mix in India will definitely save the Indian exchequer a lot of money. Moreover, the original equipment manufacturing (OEM), component supplier, and aftermarket service provider industries will all see job growth. The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that in 2021, ethanol production supported more than 73,000 direct employment nationwide, $52.1 billion of the GDP, and $28.7 billion in family income. This is all set to increase with time and consumption. Moreover, since India is primarily an agricultural country, and since ethanol fuel production relies heavily on agricultural produce, it will stimulate the untapped agricultural sector, thereby uplifting the country’s economy. The need for increased production of corn and grains will set the farming industry booming.
CHALLENGES
So far, the existing cars (except a few) aren’t E20 compatible, i.e., they aren’t compatible to take 20% blended ethanol now. In the user manual of each car or bike, it is clearly written in the petrol or fuel section whether the car is E10 compatible which basically means there will be no problem till 10% ethanol. What is important is that if one mixes more than 10% ethanol, then issues related to driveability or performance-related issues may crop up and, in some cases, the car/bike’s warranty may also get affected. In fact, the condition of the bikes is worse because they have been made E5 compatible so far which means if one directly pushes from 5% ethanol to 20%, then there will be a serious impact on the performance and maintenance aspect. So, one does not know exactly but what is most definite is that there will be a drop in the mileage of about 6 to 7% in case of cars and of about 4% in bikes.
The damage at the part-level or on the components would be prospective which means that the immediate impact would not be felt. It might deteriorate gradually & no information about it has been shared by anyone yet— be it the manufacturer, the government, or the oil company. The piston rings or heads or the fuel rail, for example, might get affected because ethanol as a product or liquid has higher levels of compression than petrol.
According to research conducted in India on the viability of utilizing E20 in pre-existing automobiles, “metals and metal coatings had no problem with E20. E20 performed less well than plain gasoline on elastomers. Tensile strength of the plastic PA66 decreased following usage with E20. According to studies conducted in 2014–15 by the Indian Oil Corporation (R&D), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the average reduction in fuel efficiency was determined to be up to 6%. Yet, the test cars passed start-ability and drivability tests while using pure gasoline and E20 test fuels in hot and cold temperatures. At any point throughout the operation of the vehicle, there was never a major malfunction or stall seen. At any point throughout the operation of the vehicle, there was never a major malfunction or issue seen. After the on-road mileage accumulation experiments, no anomalous wear of engine parts, deposits, or degradation of engine oils were noticed.