Mileage May Fall Up to 6%, Older BS-III Vehicles' Rubber Parts At Risk: Gadkari On E20 Petrol Impact
Mileage May Fall Up to 6%, Older BS-III Vehicles' Rubber Parts At Risk: Gadkari On E20 Petrol Impact
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Amid the ongoing debate over ethanol-blended petrol rolled out nationwide, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has detailed the practical issues car owners may face while using E20 fuel, even as he maintained that the fuel does not damage engines.
Mileage To Drop By 2% To 6%
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Gadkari said E20 petrol can lower vehicle fuel efficiency by 2% to 6%, with the exact drop depending on the vehicle's category and age.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the minister cited a joint study conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, which found that E20 may marginally reduce mileage while improving acceleration and ride quality, and cutting carbon emissions by roughly 30 percent.
Gadkari said dynamometer-based engine durability tests and on-road vehicle trials showed no failures linked to E20 use.
Rubber Parts In Older BS-III Vehicles May Need Replacement
Responding to a separate question, Gadkari said certain rubber parts and gaskets in older BS-III vehicles, manufactured before 2016, may need replacement when run on E20 fuel. He clarified this applies specifically to vehicles introduced from April 1, 2005 onward and built before 2016, and said such replacements can be handled during routine servicing.
He maintained that the blended fuel does not significantly affect overall vehicle performance and does not require engine modifications.
No Evidence Of Engine Failures
Gadkari said extensive testing found no evidence of engine failures linked to E20 fuel. He noted that BS-VI vehicles continued to meet emission norms when tested with E20, and that car and two-wheeler engines require no modification to run on the ethanol-blended fuel.
According to the minister, even legacy vehicles showed no significant performance variation or abnormal wear when operated on E20, with no issues reported in drivability, startability, metal compatibility, or plastic compatibility.
Controversy Around Ethanol-Blended Fuel
E20 petrol, a blend of 80 percent petrol and 20 percent ethanol, has faced criticism from opposition parties and consumer groups over compatibility concerns with older vehicles, reduced fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs, and possible liability in cases of engine or fuel system damage.
The Centre has defended the rollout, saying it has been implemented in a phased manner backed by scientific studies, and noted that automobile manufacturers continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles compatible with E20 fuel.
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