GoI Mandates Sale of E20 Petrol with Minimum RON 95 Nationwide from April 01, 2026In February 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued notification that mandated the sale of petrol with a maximum 20% of ethanol and a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 across all states and Union Territories (UTs) from April 01, 2026.
- This move aligns with India’s ambitious Ethanol Blended Programme (EBP), which aims to reduce reliance on crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions, and support the agricultural economy.
Significance:
Ethanol: Ethanol, a bio-fuel made from sugarcane, maize, or grain, is renewable, locally produced that can be blended with petrol to create a cleaner fuel alternative.
Key Reason: RON is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to engine knocking (pre-ignition) that prevents engine damage.
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- As per the MoPNG, ethanol naturally has high octane value (nearly 108 RON) which means blending 20% ethanol in petrol will increase knock resistance.
About EBP: The EBP was originally launched in January 2003 by the MoPNG, with an initial target of 5% ethanol blended petrol.
- Ethanol blending is a process which involves mixing plant-based biofuel ethanol with petrol cleaner, more sustainable fuel.
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