New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- The Indian Sugar and BioEnergy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has strongly defended the country's ethanol-blending programme amid 'misleading' claims from some quarters about its impact on vehicle engines.

In a statement, ISMA said the E20 fuel blend, 20 per cent ethanol mixed with petrol, has undergone rigorous testing by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and has been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as fully compatible with Indian vehicles. Automobile manufacturers are already producing E20-compliant models, the association noted.

Referring to Brazil's decades-long use of ethanol blends from E20 to E100 without major issues, ISMA highlighted that the South American nation currently ...