Fact check: Does E20 petrol attract ants to your vehicle?

A viral social media video claiming that E20 petrol attracts ants has been dismissed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), which says there is no scientific evidence supporting the allegation.

The video, which has been widely shared online, shows a cluster of ants around a car's fuel filler cap. While the clip does not reveal the entire vehicle, it prominently displays an E20 fuel sticker on the lid, leading some users to suggest that the ethanol-blended fuel was responsible for attracting the insects.

BPCL issues clarification

Responding to the viral claim, BPCL said it had examined the allegations and found no connection between E20 fuel and ant activity.

"BPCL has examined the claims circulating on social media regarding ants congregating around vehicle fuel filler caps and their alleged association with E20 petrol. Fuel-grade ethanol used for petrol blending is produced through fermentation and distillation processes that eliminate residual sugars from the final product. Further, fuel ethanol contains denaturants, which are repellent to insects."

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The company further explained that the smell of petrol remains dominant even after ethanol blending.

"Upon blending, the characteristic hydrocarbon odour of petrol remains dominant over any inherent ethanol odour. In addition, ethanol-blended petrol exhibits lower fuel vapour formation compared to conventional petrol. As a result, there is no identifiable attractant associated with E20 fuel that would cause ants or other insects to congregate around vehicle fuel caps."

Rejecting the viral claim, BPCL stated, "Therefore, claims suggesting a link between E20 fuel and ant attraction have no scientific basis."

"The claims being circulated on social media are baseless and are not supported by scientific evidence."

What is E20 petrol?

E20 petrol is a blend containing 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent conventional petrol. The fuel is part of India's broader push to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and promote cleaner energy alternatives.

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Ethanol, usually produced from crops such as sugarcane and maize, burns more cleanly than conventional petrol and helps lower certain emissions.

Many new cars and two-wheelers sold in India are designed to run on E20 fuel. While most users may not notice major differences in daily driving, older vehicles may require adjustments and could experience a slight reduction in fuel efficiency.