Science
Jun 18, 2026 Major2
83%
BPCL Dismisses Viral Claims That E20 Fuel Attracts Ants, Offers Scientific Explanation

A viral social media video falsely claimed that E20 petrol, which blends 20% ethanol with conventional fuel, attracts ants to vehicle fuel caps. BPCL has comprehensively refuted these claims with scientific evidence, explaining that the ethanol production process removes all sugars, added denaturants repel insects, and the fuel's strong hydrocarbon smell and lower vapor content make it unattractive to ants.





Quick Facts
Who
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
What
Viral video claimed E20 fuel attracts ants
When
Recent (following E100 fuel legal approval)
Where
Social media platforms
- Viral video claimed E20 fuel attracts ants
- BPCL refuted the claims with scientific explanation
- Ethanol undergoes fermentation and distillation to remove sugars
- Denaturants are added to fuel-grade ethanol to repel insects
- E20 fuel produces less vapor than conventional petrol
A viral video circulating on social media has claimed that E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol blended with conventional fuel, causes ants to accumulate around vehicle fuel caps. The claim gained rapid traction following the recent legal approval of E100 fuel, with social media users attributing the phenomenon to ethanol being derived from sugarcane and retaining sweetness that attracts insects. However, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has firmly refuted these allegations, stating there is no scientific basis for the connection and characterizing the claims as entirely baseless and misleading.
BPCL provided detailed scientific explanations for why E20 fuel would not attract ants. The company explained that fuel-grade ethanol undergoes a complex fermentation and distillation process that completely removes all sugars and sweetness from the final product. Additionally, BPCL noted that denaturants—special compounds that repel insects and pests—are deliberately added to fuel-grade ethanol to prevent contamination and pest attraction. These measures ensure that no residual sugars or sweet compounds remain in the ethanol that could attract insects.
The petroleum corporation offered multiple additional scientific reasons why E20 fuel would not attract ants. When ethanol is blended into petrol, the characteristic hydrocarbon smell of conventional petrol remains dominant, effectively masking any mild scent from the ethanol component, and this pungent petroleum odor is unattractive to ants. Furthermore, E20 fuel produces significantly less fuel vapor compared to conventional petrol, reducing the likelihood of insects being drawn to fuel caps by evaporating compounds. The company emphasized that the combination of these factors makes ant attraction to E20 fuel scientifically implausible.
BPCL suggested that ants observed near fuel caps are more likely attracted to dirt, food residue, or moisture around the vehicle rather than the fuel itself. The company urged the public to disregard unverified claims circulating on social media platforms and to rely on scientific evidence instead. This formal response addresses widespread misinformation that had caused concern among vehicle owners following E100 fuel's legal approval.
Why This Matters
This clarification matters because widespread misinformation about E20 fuel can undermine public confidence in India's transition to ethanol-blended fuels—a critical government initiative for energy security and emissions reduction. Vehicle owners concerned about ant attraction may unnecessarily avoid E20, delaying adoption of cleaner fuel alternatives and hindering the country's fuel policy objectives.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireBPCL issues official refutation with scientific explanations on social media platforms