India made the sale of E20 petrol—fuel blended with 20% ethanol and 80% conventional petrol—mandatory across all states and Union Territories from April 1, 2026. Since its nationwide rollout, the fuel has been the subject of widespread discussion online, with users debating its benefits and drawbacks.
Recently, a viral social media video claimed that E20 petrol contains sugar residue and attracts ants around vehicle fuel filler caps. However, state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has categorically rejected these claims, calling them "baseless" and lacking any "scientific basis."
BPCL Dismisses Viral Claims
In a statement posted on X, BPCL said it had examined the allegations linking E20 petrol to ant activity around fuel caps and found no evidence supporting the claim.
According to the company, fuel-grade ethanol used in petrol blending is produced through fermentation and distillation processes that remove residual sugars from the final product. As a result, ethanol blended into petrol does not contain sugar residues that could attract insects.
BPCL further explained that fuel ethanol contains denaturants—chemical additives that make ethanol unsuitable for human consumption. These denaturants are also known to repel insects.
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