New Delhi:Amid the debate over ethanol-blended fuel, the government on Thursday said E20 offers a “higher-octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, cleaner combustion and smoother engine performance.” More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on ethanol-blended fuel without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. Gadkari said E20 improves acceleration and ride quality while reducing carbon emissions. “Laboratory studies, field validation and real-world operating experience have not established any adverse impact on vehicle performance due to E20 fuel. This is evident from the fact that E15 blended petrol has been in widespread use for over three-and-a-half years and E19-E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years,”hesaid.

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