The government has not taken a final decision on blending isobutanol with diesel, while studies on ethanol blending have raised safety concerns, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed Parliament.
Responding to a query in the Lok Sabha, the minister said scientific evaluations on ethanol blending with diesel have been carried out by public sector oil marketing companies through their research centres, in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers.
The studies found that ethanol-blended diesel failed to meet required safety standards, as the flash point dropped significantly due to the presence of ethanol.
The minister added that Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has conducted a preliminary study on isobutanol blending with diesel. However, no decision has been taken so far on its use.
