Govt Refutes Claims of Major Mileage Loss from E20 Ethanol-Blended Petrol

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has dismissed widespread social media claims that E20 petrol — a blend containing 20% ethanol — drastically reduces vehicle mileage or damages engines.

In an official statement, the ministry clarified that these concerns are not backed by scientific evidence, adding that any drop in fuel efficiency is marginal. For vehicles originally designed for E10 petrol but later calibrated for E20, the mileage reduction is typically 1–2%, while in others it may be around 3–6%.

According to the ministry, E20-compliant vehicles have been available since April 2023, equipped with upgraded components to maintain efficiency. Minor replacements of rubber parts or gaskets may be needed in older vehicles after 20,000–30,000 km, but these are low-cost and usually handled during routine servicing.

The ministry also emphasised the environmental and economic benefits of ethanol blending. Ethanol, produced from crops like sugarcane, maize, and even agricultural waste, emits 50–65% fewer greenhouse gases than petrol. Since 2014–15, ethanol blending has saved India over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange and generated ₹1.2 lakh crore in payments to farmers, while reducing dependency on crude oil imports.

Ethanol use, the ministry stressed, also improves engine performance and ride quality in modern vehicles, making E20 fuel a key step toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility in India.