Water in E20 Petrol Not Our Problem: Petrol Pump Dealers Association
E20 petrol is currently the talk of the town. We have discussed the positives and negatives of ethanol on our website in the past. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen more videos and content about the negatives of ethanol-mixed petrol in our cars than ever before. Everyone is aware of the situation but is helpless. We have also come across incidents where people have found water in their fuel tanks after refueling from pumps. With the rise in awareness among the public, petrol pumps have now come forward with a circular that states water in petrol is not their problem.
The image of this circular, put out by the Petrol Pump Dealers Association in Telangana, has now gone viral on the internet. In this particular notice, they clearly mention that they are currently selling E20 petrol as per the Government of India’s directive. They also ask motorists to take extra precautions to ensure that the petrol doesn’t come in contact with water.
Even a small amount of water is enough to attract ethanol from petrol and once that happens, it will separate from petrol and form a distinct layer. This will settle at the bottom of the tank and lead to starting problems and jerks while driving a car or bike.
The notice mentions that petrol dealers are now taking extra care to ensure this isn’t happening, but they also want motorists to be careful as well.
Towards the end of the circular, they mention that the water found in the tank of a car or any vehicle is not the petrol pump’s responsibility. Customers can always check for the quality of the fuel that is dispensed from the nozzle but once it enters the fuel tank, it is not the petrol pump’s responsibility.
This is actually a scary situation as it would only increase the fear of E20 petrol among customers. One not only has to pay more for the fuel but also has to be careful that he doesn’t end up with even a small amount of water in the fuel tank.
Why does this happen with E20 petrol?
Let us explain. E20 petrol, as we already know, is a 20 percent mixture of ethanol in regular fuel. The ethanol in petrol is actually hygroscopic. What does that mean? It means that ethanol, a component of E20, readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. This hygroscopic nature of ethanol can lead to various issues, particularly in older vehicles not designed to handle high ethanol blends.
It absorbs moisture and water molecules from the surrounding environment - in this case, the fuel tank. So, if you leave the E20 petrol in the tank for long, it will actually attract moisture and collect water in the tank. In order to avoid this, many experts recommend filling a full tank of petrol all the time to avoid such issues.
Ethanol was introduced in the market as an alternative biofuel. It is considered one of the most promising renewable and eco-friendly fuels. It is made from by-products of plants such as corn and sugarcane. Ethanol was introduced to reduce dependence on imported fuels. Additionally, its production supports local agriculture and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making it a greener choice.
However, nothing like that happened. In fact, petrol never got cheaper and we continue to pay more than ever for fuel that is not even pure petrol. While the blended fuel is claimed to be greener, it is definitely less efficient. Apart from reduced fuel economy, the ethanol blended in the fuel is highly corrosive and is actually not suitable for older cars.
They are not compatible with this new mixture, and it can lead to corrosion of fuel lines and other rubber and plastic components. It can affect engine performance and also reduce the lifespan of the car’s engine. Older engines that are not designed for E20 might run leaner (with a higher air-fuel ratio), which can cause higher combustion temperatures and potentially lead to engine damage.