Govt rubbishes claim that Bhutan rejected E20 petrol import: ‘No proposal for export’
The government issued a clarification on a local report published last week, claiming that Bhutan rejected importing E20 fuel from India.
Dismissing reports claiming that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in India offered E20 petrol to Bhutan, the government said on Sunday (July 5) there is no proposal for the export of E20 petrol to the neighbouring country.
The government issued a clarification on a report by The Bhutanese published last week, claiming that Bhutan rejected importing E20 fuel from India. It had also cited officials as saying that prior notice would be needed to implement any such import in future.
A fact-check by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas rubbished the claims on Sunday. "Claims that Bhutan declined an offer to import E20 petrol from India are incorrect," the ministry said in a post on X.
Quick answers to key questions
Bhutan is not importing E20 petrol due to concerns about potential engine issues and contamination risks with the existing infrastructure, which is not suited for ethanol-blended fuels.
The Indian government clarified that there is no proposal for exporting E20 petrol to Bhutan and dismissed claims that Bhutan declined an offer to import it.
Experts indicate that while there may be a marginal impact on mileage (around 2-4%), extensive testing has shown no significant durability issues for vehicles using E20 fuel.
Challenges include old fuel storage tanks that may allow water seepage, which can compromise the quality of E20 fuel and lead to potential engine problems.
Yes, Bhutan has requested advance notice to upgrade its fuel storage and handling infrastructure to safely accommodate ethanol-blended fuels.
It added, "No such offer has been made by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and there is no proposal for export of E20 petrol to Bhutan."
The ministry also urged citizens to “rely only on official information from MoPNG and the Oil Marketing Companies.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Congress alleged that Bhutan, Nepal, Bangaldesh and Sri Lanka have refused India's fuel. “Only we Indians are left at the mercy of these idiots,” Kerala Congress wrote on X, sharing a screenshot of the report.
The reports came as concerns have been raised about the performance and reliability of the newly introduced E20 blend fuel.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarified, "E20 fuel was introduced only after extensive laboratory, vehicle, and field testing by India's leading technical institutions. Science led the way, ensuring reliability, performance, and confidence on every journey."
The government has clarified that the automobile industry has been aligning vehicles with prescribed ethanol-blending standards.
Use of approved E20 fuel does not automatically void the manufacturer's warranty merely because ethanol-blended petrol is used, as per the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Ethanol blending is a scientifically designed, internationally accepted fuel formulation implemented ( In countries such as Brazil ) under India's Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme. It is governed by established fuel quality standards and is not fuel adulteration.
Extensive testing previously by ARAI, Indian Oil R&D and IIP has found no significant engine durability or performance issues with E20 in older vehicles. Millions of vehicles are already operating on E20 since 1st April 2025 (Pan rollout of E20) without any evidence of engine failure attributable to the fuel, the Ministry further said.
(With inputs from ANI)
About the Author
Akriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry.<br><br> In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration. <br><br> Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience. <br><br> One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections. <br><br> When she is not busy with breaking news, Akriti loves to write explainers and interview experts on a wide range of issues. She also enjoys making complex space missions easy for everyone to understand. <br><br> Her education helps her tackle these diverse subjects. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies. She is currently expanding her knowledge in climate journalism.<br><br> Connect with Akriti here<br> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199">https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199</a><br> Twitter/X: <a href="https://x.com/AkritiAnand7">https://x.com/AkritiAnand7</a><br> Email: akriti.anand@htdigital.in
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