Centre has clarified that no proposal was made to export E20 petrol to Bhutan, dismissing reports that the neighbouring country had rejected an Indian fuel offer
The Centre on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that Bhutan had rejected an offer to import E20 petrol from India, clarifying that no such proposal was ever made by Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
The clarification came after a report published by The Bhutanese claimed Bhutan had declined the import of E20 fuel from India and indicated that any future proposal would require prior notice.
Refuting the claims, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) said the reports were “incorrect” and urged the public to rely only on official information.
“Claims that Bhutan declined an offer to import E20 petrol from India are incorrect. 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 said in a post on X.
The clarification comes amid an ongoing debate over the rollout of E20 fuel in India. The issue also sparked political reactions, with the Congress alleging that neighbouring countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, had refused Indian fuel.
Meanwhile, the government has reiterated that India’s E20 programme is based on extensive scientific evaluation and follows internationally accepted fuel standards.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, E20 petrol was introduced only after comprehensive laboratory, vehicle and field testing conducted by institutions such as the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil’s Research and Development Centre, and the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP).
The government also clarified that automobile manufacturers have aligned vehicles with prescribed ethanol-blending standards and that the use of approved E20 fuel does not automatically void a vehicle’s warranty.
Officials further stated that ethanol blending is an internationally accepted practice followed in countries such as Brazil and is governed by established fuel quality standards rather than being a form of fuel adulteration.
The Centre maintained that millions of vehicles have been operating on E20 fuel since its nationwide rollout on April 1, 2025, with no evidence linking the fuel to engine failures or significant durability issues.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
