Concerns regarding the introduction of E20 petrol, containing 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, have emerged among vehicle owners, particularly regarding engine durability and fuel efficiency.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says that engine durability tests have not shown any failures due to use of E20.
Photo : ANI
Amid nationwide concerns over blending of petrol with ethanol — 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol — shown by vehicle owners that it may impact their vehicles' engines or impact mileage, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari informed the Parliament on Friday that the use of E20 may impact fuel economy by 2-6 per cent depending upon the vehicle category and vintage.
While the Union Minister said that there could be a drop of 2-6 per cent in fuel economy, a few days ago, the Petroleum ministry had said that the use of E20-powered petrol may impact 3-5 per cent on a vehicles' mileage. The Petroleum ministry comes under Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
However, the Union Minister Gadkari informed that engine durability tests on a dynamometer and on-road vehicle tests have not shown any failures over the use of blending petrol.
In fact, Gadkari said that E20 fuel provides better accelerations, improved ride quality, and around 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to E10.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, as the monsoon session is underway, Gadkari informed that a study had been conducted to evaluate the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV, and BS-VI E10 (gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The study was carried out jointly by ARAI, SIAM, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
The study comprised standard testing as per the respective certification requirements and customized test protocols developed along with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
"The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage. The tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and vehicle tests on the road have not shown any failures due to E20," the minister said.
Why People Are Concerned Over Use of E20?
The rollout of E20 petrol — 80 per cent petrol, 20 per cent ethanol — has drawn criticism from opposition parties and some consumer groups, who have raised concerns about its impact on older vehicles not specifically designed for 20 per cent ethanol blends.
Critics have questioned whether all vehicles are fully compatible with E20, flagged the possibility of reduced fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs, and sought clarity on liability if engine or fuel-system problems arise.
What’s the Govt View on E20?
The government has maintained that the transition has been phased and backed by extensive testing, while automobile manufacturers have said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel.
Opposition Demands Transparency
Opposition parties have repeatedly sought greater transparency on vehicle compatibility and consumer safeguards.
The minister explained that the Ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme has been implemented through a phased, scientifically validated, and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and other technical institutions.
In India, he said the ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme commenced with a pilot in 2001, E5 was introduced in 2006, and although blending remained around 1.53 per cent in 2013-14, it has since been increased progressively in a calibrated manner after creating the necessary production capacity, infrastructure, and regulatory framework.
According to him, E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for over three-and-a-half years, and E19-E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years.
Gadkari noted that more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending.
"Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear, or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel," he said, adding that manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20 fuel, providing further confidence in its safety and reliability.
BS, or Bharat Stage, refers to India’s vehicle emission standards that set limits on pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM).
With inputs from PTI
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