Key Points
Viral video falsely claims E20 petrol attracts ants to fuel caps.
BPCL clarified ethanol production eliminates residual sugars completely.
Fuel ethanol contains denaturants that repel insects naturally.
E20 produces lower vapour formation than conventional petrol.
A viral video circulating on social media claims ants swarm around vehicle fuel caps when E20 petrol is used. BPCL issued a formal clarification on June 18 stating the claim has no scientific basis. The company explained the production process and chemical composition of E20 fuel to counter the misinformation spreading online.
What the Viral Claim Says
A video spreading across social media platforms shows ants congregating around a car’s fuel filler cap and attributes this to E20 petrol. The claim suggests ethanol-blended fuel attracts insects. The viral video has gained traction on multiple platforms, prompting BPCL to issue a public response.
How E20 Fuel Is Made
Fuel-grade ethanol used in E20 petrol is produced through fermentation and distillation processes. These processes eliminate all residual sugars from the final product. Fuel ethanol also contains denaturants, which repel insects. Upon blending with petrol, the characteristic hydrocarbon odour remains dominant over any ethanol odour.
Why There Is No Ant Attraction
Ethanol-blended petrol produces lower fuel vapour formation compared to conventional petrol. This means there is no identifiable attractant in E20 fuel that would cause ants or other insects to congregate around fuel caps. BPCL stated the claims circulating on social media are baseless and unsupported by scientific evidence.
Final Thoughts
BPCL’s clarification addresses a widespread myth with no scientific foundation. The company’s fact-check aims to protect consumer confidence in E20 fuel as India expands ethanol-blended petrol availability.
FAQs
No. Fuel-grade ethanol undergoes fermentation and distillation processes that completely eliminate all residual sugars from the final product.
Denaturants are chemical additives mixed into fuel ethanol to repel insects and prevent attraction to vehicle fuel tanks.
No. BPCL confirms there is no scientific basis supporting claims that E20 petrol attracts ants or insects.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author
Huzaifa Zahoor
Co FounderHuzaifa Zahoor is the engineer who built Meyka. He has spent years writing Python, training AI models, and building data pipelines specifically for financial markets. His technical articles have reached over 30,000 readers on Medium, so he knows how to make complex things easy to follow. If this article touches on how the tools work, he is the person who actually built them.
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