E20 petrol may lower mileage by 2-6%, but causes no engine failures: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told Parliament that E20 petrol may reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2-6%, but extensive government and industry tests found no engine failures, with only some pre-2016 BS-III vehicles potentially needing routine replacement of rubber parts and gaskets.Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari says no engine failures reported from E20 after extensive testing. (PTI photo)Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) can reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage, but extensive testing has not found any engine failures caused by the fuel, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Parliament.In separate written replies to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Wednesday respectively, Gadkari said studies conducted by government agencies and automobile manufacturers found that E20 fuel remains safe for vehicles, although some BS-III vehicles manufactured before 2016 may require replacement of certain rubber parts and gaskets during routine servicing.Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said a study to evaluate the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10 (gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out jointly by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).He said the study included standard testing as per certification requirements along with customised test protocols developed in consultation with 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 road have not shown any failures due to E20," Gadkari said.The minister added that E20 fuel provides better acceleration, improved ride quality and around 30 per cent lower carbon emissions than E10 fuel. Addressing concerns raised over older vehicles, Gadkari told the Rajya Sabha that studies did not show any need to modify engines in cars and two-wheelers. According to him, the research found that even legacy vehicles did not exhibit significant variations in performance or abnormal wear and tear when operated with E20 fuel.He said the studies reported no issues related to drivability, startability, metal compatibility or plastic compatibility.However, Gadkari said testing on BS-III vehicles introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016 showed that some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement when these vehicles run on E20 fuel."Only in case of testing done on BS-III vehicles introduced from 1st April, 2005, and manufactured prior to 2016, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which can be easily managed during routine servicing regime of the vehicle," he said.The rollout of E20 petrol, which contains 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol, has drawn criticism from Opposition parties and some consumer groups. Critics have questioned whether all vehicles are fully compatible with E20, expressed concerns over reduced fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs, and sought clarity on liability in case of engine or fuel-system problems.The government has maintained that the transition has followed a phased and scientifically validated process, while automobile manufacturers have said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel. Opposition parties have repeatedly sought greater transparency on vehicle compatibility and consumer safeguards.Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a phased, calibrated, scientifically validated and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), ARAI, SIAM, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.He also informed the Rajya Sabha that an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), constituted under NITI Aayog on December 26, 2020, comprehensively examined vehicle compatibility and mileage-related aspects of ethanol blending. The assessment drew on research by IOCL, ARAI and SIAM.According to the minister, the committee's Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020–25, released in June 2021, was prepared after extensive consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil companies and agricultural experts. The report examined material compatibility, engine calibration, fuel systems, drivability, durability, emissions, fuel efficiency and other vehicle performance parameters before the introduction of E20 fuel.Gadkari said the EBP programme began with a pilot project in 2001, followed by the introduction of E5 in 2006. Although ethanol blending remained at around 1.53 per cent until 2013-14, the government progressively increased blending after creating the required production capacity, infrastructure and regulatory framework.He said E15+ blended petrol has remained in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been in use for over two-and-a-half years.Before introducing E20 in April 2026, the government carried out extensive laboratory studies, durability trials and field validation covering engine durability, material compatibility, fuel systems, corrosion resistance, drivability, emissions, fuel economy and overall vehicle performance, Gadkari said.Highlighting the scale of adoption, Gadkari said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have operated on ethanol-blended fuels 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 prescribe limits for pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM).- EndsPublished By: Akshat TrivediPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 19:07 IST