Rejecting concerns over the compatibility of E20 petrol with existing vehicles, the Union government said extensive scientific studies have found no significant impact on vehicle performance or durability. Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said only some Bharat Stage (BS)-III vehicles manufactured before 2016 may require replacement of certain rubber parts and gaskets during routine servicing.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Gadkari said studies conducted by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found no need to modify the engines of either cars or two-wheelers to use E20 petrol.
"The studies confirmed that even legacy vehicles did not exhibit any significant variations in performance, nor did they show abnormal wear and tear when operated with E20 fuel," the minister said.
According to Mr Gadkari, the studies found no issues relating to drivability, startability, metal compatibility or plastic compatibility when vehicles were operated on E20 fuel, a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol.
The minister clarified that only a limited category of older BS-III vehicles may require replacement of certain rubber components.
"Only in case of testing done on BS-III vehicles introduced from 1 April 2005 and manufactured before 2016, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which can be easily managed during the routine servicing regime of the vehicle," Mr Gadkari said.
He stressed that the studies did not indicate any requirement for engine modifications in passenger cars or two-wheelers using E20 petrol.
Mileage Depends on Multiple Factors
Addressing concerns over reduced fuel efficiency, Mr Gadkari said automobile manufacturers and vehicle-testing agencies have clarified that vehicle mileage depends on multiple factors and cannot be attributed solely to the use of E20 fuel.
He informed the Upper House that an inter-ministerial committee constituted under NITI Aayog on 6 December 2020 had comprehensively examined vehicle compatibility, as well as mileage and fuel-efficiency aspects of ethanol blending.
According to the minister, the committee's assessment was supported by studies undertaken by IOCL, ARAI and SIAM.
The committee's report, Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, released in June 2021 before the introduction of E20 petrol, examined material compatibility, engine calibration, fuel systems, drivability, durability, emissions and fuel efficiency after consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and agricultural experts.
Mr Gadkari said the ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) programme has been implemented through a 'phased, calibrated, scientifically validated and consultative approach'.
He also noted that ethanol-blended fuel has been used globally for more than a century, with countries such as Brazil operating on even higher ethanol blends for decades.
Report Questions Fuel-efficiency Claims
The government's clarification comes amid continuing criticism from opposition parties and consumer groups, which have questioned the compatibility of E20 petrol with older vehicles and expressed concerns over possible reductions in mileage, higher maintenance costs and liability in the event of engine or fuel-system damage.
The Union government has consistently maintained that the transition to E20 has been backed by extensive testing, while automobile manufacturers have said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles operating on E20 fuel.
However, an analysis by
The Reporters' Collective has challenged the government's position on fuel efficiency.
According to the report, based on Union government data on motor spirit consumption and vehicular traffic growth, consumers spent about ₹88,234 crore more between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2026 to compensate for the lower mileage of ethanol-blended petrol.
According to the report, ethanol contains about one-third less energy than petrol, making it inherently less fuel-efficient. While ethanol blending has helped reduce crude oil imports, the report argues that consumers bear the additional cost through higher fuel consumption. It also notes that motorists cannot easily switch to unblended petrol because it is priced significantly higher than regular E20 petrol.
The government, however, has maintained that mileage is influenced by several factors, including vehicle condition, driving habits, traffic conditions and engine characteristics, and cannot be attributed solely to ethanol blending.
