BPCL :E20 petrol attracts ants? BPCL responds to viral claim, explains the matter.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has had to issue an official clarification after a viral social media video claims that E20 petrol attracts ants. The video, which has been widely shared online, shows a group of ants gathering around the fuel filler cap of a car and suggests that the presence of ethanol-blended fuel in the tank is the reason behind it.The clip has led many users to believe that the ants were attracted by the ethanol content in the fuel. However, BPCL has rejected the claim saying there is no scientific evidence linking E20 petrol to insect attraction.In its clarification, the oil marketing company explained that the fuel-grade ethanol used for blending petrol undergoes fermentation and distillation processes that remove residual sugars from the final product. BPCL further said that the ethanol used in the fuel contains denaturants, substances that are generally repellent to insects.The company also pointed out that once ethanol is blended with petrol, the distinctive hydrocarbon smell of petrol remains dominant. Additionally, ethanol-blended petrol produces less fuel vapor than conventional petrol. According to BPCL, E20 fuel does not contain any identifiable component that can attract ants or other insects to the fuel cap of the vehicle.“Claims suggesting a link between E20 fuel and attraction of ants have no scientific basis,” BPCL said in its statement. He said the allegations circulated on social media are baseless and not supported by evidence.The clarification comes at a time when India is steadily increasing the use of ethanol-blended fuels as part of its efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and reduce vehicle emissions. E20 petrol is a blend containing 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent conventional petrol. Ethanol is a biofuel commonly produced from agricultural sources such as sugarcane and corn.