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The use of E20 petrol across India has emerged as a matter of debate among vehicle owners. Recently, a viral video on social media sparked concern by claiming that ants were gathering around a car's fuel filler cap because of the ethanol content in E20 fuel. The video quickly became viral, resulting in many people questioning the safety and composition of ethanol-blended petrol. However, the officials of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have clarified that the claim is false and has no scientific basis. The company examined the allegations and stated that E20 petrol does not attract ants or other insects.

 

 

What Was Shown in the Viral Video? The viral clip showed a vehicle's fuel filler area covered with ants. The person recording the video pointed towards the E20 sticker on the fuel lid, implying that the ethanol-blended petrol was responsible for attracting the insects. As the video spread across multiple social media platforms, many viewers assumed that the ethanol in the fuel contained sugar residues that attracted ants.

 

BPCL's Official Response: To address the growing confusion, BPCL released a statement explaining that fuel-grade ethanol used in petrol blending undergoes extensive fermentation and distillation processes that remove residual sugars from the final product. The company also highlighted that fuel ethanol contains denaturants, substances that are generally repellent to insects. According to BPCL, there is no identifiable component in E20 petrol that would attract ants or other insects. The company further stated that ethanol-blended petrol produces lower fuel vapour formation compared to conventional petrol, making the viral claim scientifically unsupported.

 

Why the Claim Is Misleading:Many people associate ethanol with sugarcane because ethanol can be produced from sugarcane and other agricultural feedstocks. However, the fuel-grade ethanol used in E20 petrol is highly refined and does not contain sugar residues. Therefore, the assumption that ants are attracted to E20 petrol due to sugar content is incorrect. Experts suggest that the presence of ants around a fuel cap could be caused by several unrelated factors, such as food residue, environmental conditions, or other substances present on the vehicle. BPCL has emphasized that there is no proven connection between E20 fuel and insect attraction.

 

Understanding E20 Petrol: E20 petrol is a blend consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% conventional petrol. The Government of India has promoted ethanol blending to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lower emissions, and support domestic agricultural production. The nationwide rollout of E20 fuel became mandatory from April 2026.

 

Final Thoughts: The viral video linking E20 petrol to ant infestations has been officially debunked by Bharat Petroleum. Scientific explanations provided by BPCL clearly indicate that fuel-grade ethanol contains no sugar residues capable of attracting insects. Vehicle owners should rely on verified information from fuel companies and government agencies rather than unverified social media posts. As India continues its transition towards cleaner and more sustainable fuel solutions, understanding the facts behind E20 petrol will help consumers make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary concerns.