The Indian government has shelved its plan to blend ethanol in diesel after discovering that it reduces the flash point of the fuel, making it more prone to catching fire, Parliament was told on Monday.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister of State Suresh Gopi said in a Rajya Sabha reply that tests conducted by state oil marketing companies, approved agencies, and automobile makers concluded that ethanol-blended diesel had a flash point lower than the standard level. The flashing point is the temperature at which fuel becomes flammable and therefore a lower flash point indicates more combustibility. The government has therefore decided to abandon the proposed ethanol-blended diesel plan.

Gopi further said that the government has no proposal to increase the blending of ethanol beyond 20 per cent in petrol (E20) unless further technical studies and consultations take place. Various automobile research boards have tested E20 petrol and concluded that it does not present any problems to vehicles.