New Delhi: The Indian government has clarified that the use of E20 fuel will not result in the rejection of motor insurance claims, dismissing viral social media posts suggesting otherwise as false.
The clarification came through the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit, which urged people not to believe or share unverified claims circulating online.
“Motor insurance policies remain valid with the use of E20 fuel,” PIB Fact Check said in a post on X, categorically rejecting reports that insurance companies would deny claims for vehicles running on E20 petrol.
The clarification assumes significance as India pushes ahead with its ambitious ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil. India currently imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, leaving the economy vulnerable to global price volatility and geopolitical uncertainties.
E20 fuel refers to petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol. The country has made rapid progress in ethanol blending over the last decade. In 2014, ethanol constituted just 1.53 per cent of petrol sold in India. The government achieved 10 per cent blending in 2022, five months ahead of schedule, and successfully met the target of 20 per cent blending in 2025.
The Centre is now preparing for the next phase of the programme by promoting higher ethanol-blended petrol variants, including E22, E25, E27 and E30.
To encourage their adoption, the Finance Ministry recently exempted these higher ethanol blends from central excise duty, extending tax incentives beyond the existing ethanol-blending regime.
The government has advised citizens to verify information related to public policies and regulations through official channels before sharing or acting upon claims circulating on social media.
