Claims about sugarcane juice directly mixed with petrol, car engine absorbing water because of ethanol “misleading, unsubstantiated”: Petroleum Ministry

Claims about ethanol-blended petrol absorbing water into the fuel tank and sugarcane juice being directly mixed with petrol are “misleading” and “unsubstantiated”, the Union Petroleum Ministry said in a statement issued Tuesday (June 23, 2026) evening.

“It has also been observed that old images and videos are being recirculated in an apparent attempt to garner viewership through sensationalism and create unwarranted concerns regarding ethanol-blended fuel,” the statement read.

Responding to claims on social media about ethanol triggering its hygroscopic nature, that is, retaining water and moisture, the ministry emphasised that modern vehicles have safeguards to prevent any such occurrence.

“Modern vehicles are equipped with design features and safeguards to prevent water entry into fuel tanks,” it stated.

Further, it held assertions about sugarcane juice being directly mixed with petrol as part of the blending programme as “misleading and baseless”.

“Ethanol used for fuel blending is produced through established industrial processes and conforms to stringent quality specifications before blending with petrol,” it stated.

Further, pointing to ethanol being produced from a variety of other feedstocks as molasses, broken rice and maize, it sought to clarify, “The properties of ethanol are vastly different from the input feed stock as it has undergone a series of processes, including fermentation, which leads to fermentation of the sugars present in the feedstocks.”

In the statement, the Ministry emphasised that ethanol-blending is undertaken after rigorous testing and assessing specifications.

“The rollout of higher blending levels has been undertaken only after extensive technical evaluation and consultation with automobile manufacturers and other stakeholders,” it said.