A media clip claiming that E20 fuel attracts ants has prompted Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to clarify. This video, which has been widely shared on the Internet, shows a large number of ants gathered around a car’s fuel tank and suggests that the presence of fuel mixed with ethanol in the tank is the cause.This image has led many users to believe that the ants were attracted to the ethanol content of the fuel. However, BPCL has denied the claims, saying there is no scientific evidence linking E20 fuel to attracting insects.In its explanation, the oil marketing company explained that the ethanol used in the blending of gasoline goes through fermentation and distillation processes that remove residual sugar from the final product. BPCL also said that the ethanol used in the fuel contains denaturants, substances that usually repel insects.The company also said that once alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the hydrocarbon smell of the fuel remains strong. In addition, ethanol-blended fuel produces lower emissions than conventional fuel. According to BPCL, there is no known substance in E20 fuel that can attract ants or other insects to the fuel tank of a car.“Claims showing a link between E20 fuel and ants have no scientific evidence,” BPCL said in a statement, adding that the media reports are baseless and unsubstantiated.The announcement comes at a time when India is increasingly using ethanol-blended fuels as part of its efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuels and lower emissions from vehicles. E20 fuel is a mixture that contains 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent conventional fuel. Ethanol is a biofuel that is produced from agricultural products such as sugarcane and corn.
