Brazil is often cited as a successful example and inspiration for India’s fuel-blended-with-ethanol programme. The Centre has maintained that ethanol blending in India has been carried out gradually. (Representative image) In August last year, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Brazil has been using E27 – i.e. fuel blending with 27% ethanol – for years, and has not reported issues with car engines because of it. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari also made a case for increasing ethanol levels by pointing to Brazil, which achieved 100% blending years ago. The topic was thrust into the spotlight as India hit its 20% ethanol blending target – E20 – roughly five years ahead of the government’s original 2030 goal. From April 1 this year, E20 became the default petrol grade at pumps nationwide. Also read: Industry experts defend E20 petrol amid engine damage claims; say fuel safe for older vehicles: ‘Years of testing’ The rollout has also become the subject of a running consumer and political backlash. Motorists told HT that their vehicles’ mileage had dropped …