India and Vietnam clarify ethanol fuel blends amid consumer concerns

India’s government and insurers have refuted claims that using E20 petrol can void motor‑insurance policies, stating that “using E20 petrol does not impact motor insurance coverage.” The clarification follows social‑media misinformation and comes as the Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri promotes higher‑ethanol fuels such as E85, with plans to expand its availability to thousands of stations.

In Vietnam, the nationwide launch of E10 biofuel has been accompanied by scientific evidence and industry statements that modern vehicles are compatible with the 10% ethanol blend. Experts note that E10 can lower emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, while any minor fuel‑consumption differences are negligible. Older carbureted engines may still require manufacturer guidance, but overall engine performance remains unaffected.