Tuesday, July 28, 2026
By Kamal Swami
No E20 Compatibility Assessment Conducted Yet
Amid the ongoing debate about the effect of E20 fuel on vehicles, the government has clarified that no assessment has been conducted to determine what percentage of vehicles currently running in India are fully compatible with E20 petrol. However, it has maintained that extensive laboratory studies and field trials have established the safety of E20 fuel when used according to prescribed standards.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has not assessed the proportion of vehicles in India that are compatible with E20 fuel. E20 petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol blended with 80 per cent petrol.
The government said the Ethanol-Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was introduced through a phased process supported by scientific research and technical evaluation. The programme involved organisations including NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP).
According to the government, laboratory studies and field trials assessed several aspects of E20 fuel, including engine durability, drivability, starting performance, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency. These evaluations reportedly found E20 petrol safe for use under the prescribed conditions. The government also stated that older vehicles have not shown significant changes in performance or abnormal wear and tear because of E20 fuel.
The nationwide adoption of E20 petrol has nevertheless generated concerns among vehicle owners, particularly those using older vehicles that were not specifically designed for 20 per cent ethanol-blended fuel. Questions have been raised over fuel economy, potential maintenance costs and the possibility of damage to engines or fuel-system components.
The government said E15 petrol has been widely used for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 blends have been in use for more than two-and-a-half years. During this period, more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over three crore petrol cars have operated on these fuel blends. It added that there is no verified evidence of widespread engine failures or vehicle breakdowns directly attributable to ethanol blending.
On fuel efficiency, the government noted that mileage depends on factors such as driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle maintenance. For vehicles originally designed for E10 petrol, any reduction in fuel economy is generally around 3-5 per cent, it said. At the same time, E20 offers higher octane and better anti-knock characteristics, which can support cleaner combustion and smoother engine performance.
The government further claimed that E20 can offer improved acceleration and ride quality, along with around 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared with E10. Industry data cited in the response also indicated that large numbers of vehicles not originally certified for E20 have been serviced and operated without reported E20-related corrosion, abnormal wear or reduced component life.
