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According to a recent survey conducted by LocalCircle, 53% of petrol vehicle owners throughout India have criticised the government’s decision of rolling out the E20 fuel.  Many vehicle owners even reported not only a decline in fuel efficiency but also a high cost of maintenance. The results revealed in the report have reignited the debate over the nationwide adoption of ethanol-blended petrol, even as the government continues to defend the initiative for its environmental and economic benefits.

 

 

The survey was conducted on 22,567 petrol vehicle owners across 316 districts in India. More than half of the respondents (53%) rated the government's implementation of the E20 programme as either "ineffective" or "disastrous." Among them, 42% described the rollout as disastrous, while only 13% expressed a positive opinion. The major concern behind the use of E20 Fuel was related to its impact on older petrol vehicles. According to the survey, 66% of owners driving vehicles manufactured before 2023 claimed their fuel economy had dropped by more than 10% after switching to E20 petrol. At the same time, 45% of vehicle owners reported increased wear and tear or higher repair requirements, raising question about the suitability of E20 fuel for vehicles that were originally designed for lower ethanol blends.

 

An interesting outcome which came from the survey was that 31% of owners having vehicles manufactured before 2023 would prefer the option to purchase E0 or E10 petrol, even if it comes at a higher price. The findings suggest that while many motorists support cleaner fuels, they also want greater flexibility and fuel choices for older vehicles.Despite these concerns, the government continues its support for the ethanol blending programme, stating that it helps reduce crude oil imports, lowers emissions, strengthens energy security, and benefits farmers through increased demand for ethanol production. Officials have also reiterated that the long-term impact of E20 fuel will become clearer as more data becomes available over the coming years.

 

Regulatory measures have also been introduced to support the transition. Since April 1, 2026, all E20 petrol sold in India must meet a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95. Meanwhile, fuel specifications for higher ethanol blends (E22 to E30) have already been notified, although the current national roadmap remains focused on E20. The findings underscore the challenge of balancing environmental goals with the practical concerns of millions of motorists, particularly those driving older petrol vehicles. As India continues its transition toward cleaner fuels, consumer feedback is likely to play an important role in shaping future fuel policies and ensuring a smoother adoption process.