The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has firmly rejected allegations that ethanol-blended fuel damages vehicle engines or drastically reduces mileage. In a direct challenge to critics, GEMA President C.K. Jain dared them to provide proof of such damage, asserting that no authorised service centres have reported any incidents, according to a report by businessline.
Allegations of Engine Damage Dismissed
"Check for yourself if your vehicle or its engine has sustained any damage. If you believe it has been damaged [by ethanol-blended petrol], come to us. On the flip side, if there is no damage, you should still put out the right information. Even the authorized service centres of vehicle manufacturers have not reported any such incidents," Jain told businessline. He emphasised that the majority of vehicle owners are taxpayers and that while a mileage drop of 3–5% is a concern, it should be weighed against the benefits of reducing pollution and saving the country's foreign exchange.
Mileage Drop Acknowledged
Jain conceded that there is a three to five percent reduction in mileage with ethanol-blended fuel, but argued that this should not overshadow the larger picture. "We know that majority of the vehicle owners are tax payers and losing 3-5 per cent in mileage is a concern for them, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you think of reducing pollution and save the country’s foreign exchange. So, it is a gain for them and not a loss," he noted.
Water Usage Claim Rebutted
The association also pushed back against claims that thousands of litres of water are wasted to produce a single litre of ethanol. Jain clarified that the actual conversion rate at the factory is five litres of water to one litre of ethanol, and that engineers are working towards reducing that to 3.5 litres. He pointed out that 50% of irrigation for crops comes from rainwater and rainwater harvesting, and that critics are incorrectly adding water from the irrigation stage. "When it (feedstock) comes to the factory, the conversion rate is five litre of water to a litre of ethanol, not in 1000s, and we are proceeding towards 3.5 litre of water to a litre of ethanol. Engineers are working on that. When you say 1000s, you are adding up from the time of irrigation to rain-fed, which is not correct," Jain argued.
Production Capacity and Blending Ambitions
India has sufficient ethanol manufacturing capacity, Jain said, with current installed capacity at 1,800 crore litres, while consumption stands at only 1,200 crore litres. "Our aim should be maximum self reliance. So we have to try for 85 per cent of ethanol blending...100 per cent replacement (of crude oil) is not possible, but we can try for at least 25-30 per cent blending, which is possible," he explained. He urged that the nation should not be compared solely on cost, especially when crude oil prices are around $70 per barrel, as India's major import bill is crude. "Do you think our future generation also keep depending on oil imports whether from West Asia or Russia? We have to think of alternatives and if they have oil wells, we have the land and farmers, so why not explore them," Jain added.
Dealers Association Reports No Complaints
Supporting GEMA's stance, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), which represents more than 30,000 dealer outlets and service stations across India, stated that it has not received any complaints about vehicles due to ethanol-blended fuel. FADA President C.S. Vigneshwar confirmed, "We as FADA have not received any complaints as yet from our members." FADA is the apex body of automobile retail industry engaged in the sale, service, and spares of two/three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and tractors across India.
| Aspect | Claim by Critics | GEMA's Response |
|---|---|---|
| Engine damage | Ethanol-blended fuel damages vehicle engines | No reported incidents from authorised service centres; challenge to prove damage |
| Mileage loss | Substantial drop | 3–5% reduction acknowledged, but justified by pollution and forex savings |
| Water usage | Thousands of litres of water per litre of ethanol | 5 litres per litre at factory, moving towards 3.5 litres; critics include irrigation water |
Industry Implications
For manufacturing executives and procurement professionals, GEMA's clarifications provide a clearer picture of the ethanol supply chain. With capacity exceeding demand by 600 crore litres, India's ethanol producers are well positioned to support the government's blending targets. The water efficiency figures (5 litres per litre, targeting 3.5 litres) are comparable to many industrial processes, and the absence of vehicle damage complaints from both manufacturer service centres and dealer networks suggests that the fuel is safe for current vehicle parc. The ongoing push toward self-reliance and reduced crude imports may lead to further policy support for ethanol production, making it a stable raw material for downstream industries.
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