E20 Petrol May Cut Mileage By Up To 5 Per Cent, But Centre Defends Cleaner Fuel Push
E20 Petrol May Cut Mileage By Up To 5 Per Cent, But Centre Defends Cleaner Fuel Push
New Delhi, July 10 : Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, commonly known as E20, can reduce fuel economy by 3 to 5 per cent in some vehicles, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas admitted on Friday. However, the ministry strongly defended the fuel, arguing that the marginal mileage loss is far outweighed by a range of benefits — higher octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, faster combustion, better pickup, smoother acceleration, cleaner engine operation and lower lifecycle carbon emissions.
The clarification came in the form of a detailed question-and-answer document released by the ministry to counter mounting criticism of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. The ministry described E20 as a cleaner, higher-quality and more efficient fuel compared to E10 or pure petrol, and stressed that the nationwide rollout came only after years of scientific testing, consultations with automobile manufacturers and a major expansion of domestic ethanol production capacity.
Two Decades In The Making, Says Ministry
Rejecting claims that the programme was rushed, the ministry pointed out that India's ethanol blending journey began with pilot projects as far back as 2001, with 5 per cent blending introduced in parts of the country by 2006. Blending levels, however, remained stagnant at around 1.5 per cent until 2014.
The pace picked up sharply after the National Policy on Biofuels was introduced in 2018, which expanded permissible feedstocks beyond sugarcane. India achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending in 2022, ahead of schedule, and reached the 20 per cent milestone during the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, backed by investments in dedicated ethanol plants, storage infrastructure and logistics.
What About Older Vehicles?
Addressing widespread concerns among owners of older vehicles, the ministry said E20 underwent extensive testing before its nationwide rollout. The evaluation covered engine durability, fuel systems, material compatibility, corrosion resistance, drivability and emissions.
The ministry also cited feedback from leading automobile manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, stating that these companies had not reported any E20-related corrosion, abnormal wear or component-life damage in vehicles serviced under real-world conditions.
No Plans For Multiple Fuel Grades
The ministry firmly dismissed demands that petrol pumps be required to offer multiple fuel grades — pure petrol, E10 and E20 — side by side. Maintaining parallel nationwide supply chains, it argued, would drive up logistics costs and complicate fuel distribution across India's network of more than 100,000 retail outlets.
Why E20 Is Not Cheaper At The Pump
On the question of pricing, the ministry offered a candid explanation for why E20 is not necessarily cheaper than conventional petrol. Ethanol procurement prices are fixed at remunerative levels to support farmers, and these can exceed the cost of petrol when international crude prices are relatively low.
The ministry clarified that the programme's core objective was never to lower pump prices. Instead, it aims to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil, improve price stability and strengthen the country's energy security.
The Numbers Behind The Programme
According to the ministry, the ethanol blending programme has delivered substantial economic and environmental gains since the 2014-15 ethanol supply year. Foreign exchange savings have crossed Rs 1.97 lakh crore, while nearly 316 lakh tonnes of crude oil imports have been displaced. The programme has also reduced carbon dioxide emissions by around 952 lakh tonnes and transferred over Rs 1.66 lakh crore to farmers.
Appeal Against Misinformation
The ministry urged consumers not to be swayed by misinformation circulating about E20, asserting that the fuel had been validated by vehicle manufacturers, testing agencies, oil marketing companies and regulators before its nationwide adoption.
The clarification comes at a time when the E20 rollout has become a subject of intense public debate, with vehicle owners raising questions about mileage, engine wear and the absence of fuel choice at petrol pumps. With the government now placing detailed data on record, the debate over India's ethanol future is likely to continue in the months ahead.
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