Ethanol blending in diesel fails flash-point test: Government
The Indian government has ruled out the immediate use of ethanol-blended diesel after tests revealed that ethanol significantly lowers the fuel's flash point, creating safety risks. Officials stated that further technical studies are required before any changes to fuel blending policies can be considered.
Why it matters
This decision impacts India's broader energy strategy and its goal to reduce oil import dependency through biofuel integration.
Ethanol-blended diesel failed required safety specifications because the addition of ethanol sharply lowered the fuel's flash point, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Monday (August 10, 2026), effectively ruling out the fuel for wider use unless the technical issue is resolved.
Public-sector oil marketing companies conducted scientific evaluations of ethanol blending with diesel through their research and development centres, in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers, Mr. Gopi said in a written reply to Parliament.
The tests found that ethanol-blended diesel did not meet the required diesel flash-point specification because the flash point fell sharply in the presence of ethanol, he said.
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