New Delhi: On the ongoing discussions and doubts regarding E-20 and fossil fuel in the country, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in an exclusive interview to India TV that the government tests any new technology before introducing it. Use of E-20 started only after complete testing. He claimed that till now he has not received any complaint that the engines of vehicles are getting damaged due to the use of E-20. He said that who is doing this kind of propaganda, I do not want to get involved in it. Gadkari also described ethanol as the fuel of the future to make the country self-reliant in the energy sector and save the environment.
Direct benefit to farmers from biofuel
Referring to the country’s economic condition and pollution, Nitin Gadkari said that today fossil fuel worth more than Rs 22 lakh crore is imported into the country. This fossil fuel is the cause of 40 percent air pollution in the country due to our road sector. If we replace this import of Rs 22 lakh crore with biofuel, then this money will go into the pockets of the farmers of the country and their lives will change completely.
Is this self-reliance not useful for the country?
For example, Nitin Gadkari said that when ethanol production from maize started, the prices of maize increased and farmers got a lot of benefit from it. Earlier, sugarcane farmers had to wait a long time for money. They had to wait a long time to get payment for sugarcane. But today the situation has changed and with the advent of ethanol the fortunes of sugar mills and sugarcane farmers have changed. Gadkari said, “Is this self-reliance not useful for the country? Shouldn’t our country be self-reliant in terms of energy?”
‘Maruti also said that there was no evidence of engine failure due to ethanol.’
On the question on social media about engine damage to vehicles due to E-20, he said that he has not received any such complaint yet. I don’t want to get into the discussion about who is doing this propaganda. Anyone whose car is before 2023 and has engine failure due to E-20, should lodge a complaint with me. He said that the vehicle also has insurance. The insurance company will also investigate this and the matter will come before the government. Gadkari said that many automobile companies, including the country’s largest car manufacturer Maruti, have clarified that there has been no problem of any defect in the vehicles due to the use of E-20. There was a case of a vehicle breaking down in Patna, but investigation revealed that it was not due to ethanol but adulteration in petrol.
What did Gadkari say on mileage and technology?
On questions regarding mileage, Gadkari clarified that there is not much difference in mileage in cities, although there may be a slight reduction in mileage on highways. Describing the features of Flex Engine, he said that up to 100 percent petrol and up to 100 percent ethanol can be used in these engines. He also said that in cities where frequent braking is required, hybrid flex engine technology will generate more power during braking, which will increase the efficiency of the vehicle. Gadkari said that there is no new use of E-20. Brazil and many other countries of the world have been using it successfully since 1970. The Government of India has also implemented it only after complete government testing and in-depth study.
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