Viral Video Of Ants Infesting Fuel Caps After Filling Up E20 Petrol: Fake, Says BPCL
Reports about ethanol blending and E85 and E20 fuels have been circulating on the internet over the last couple of weeks. Social media is now a major part of our lives, and many of you may have come across a video showing a car's fuel filler cap infested with ants. The video blamed the ethanol content in the fuel for attracting the insects. However, Bharat Petroleum has now issued a clarification, stating that the video is misleading.
The video has been circulating across various social media platforms from multiple accounts. At the moment, it is not known who originally posted the clip. In the video, a person opens the fuel lid of a car, revealing a colony of ants gathered around the vehicle's fuel filler cap.
The entire vehicle is not visible in the clip, but the person specifically highlights the E20 sticker on the fuel lid. The video was shot in a manner that suggested the ants were attracted because of the ethanol blend in the fuel. Many viewers believed this claim and began sharing the clip across social media platforms.
This information was incorrect, which is why Bharat Petroleum decided to address the issue. On its X profile, the company posted:
"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.
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.
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."
In short, claims that ants and other insects are attracted to the ethanol present in fuel are currently being described as baseless. However, the post does not mention whether the video circulating online is AI-generated or not.
It is possible that the video was created using AI. Alternatively, the person who originally shared the video may have intentionally or accidentally applied sugar syrup or another substance that attracted ants. The vehicle may also have been parked outdoors for an extended period, which could have contributed to the infestation.
Ethanol is an alternative biofuel and is considered one of the most promising renewable and eco-friendly fuel options. It is produced from plant by-products such as corn and sugarcane. The ethanol currently blended with fuel and dispensed through fuel stations across the country is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the surrounding air.
This moisture can separate and settle inside the fuel tank, potentially leading to corrosion on metal surfaces. Over time, this corrosion can cause contamination and mechanical issues within the fuel system, especially in older vehicles.