Majority of petrol vehicle owners oppose E20 fuel mandate over mileage concerns: Survey
petrol vehicle owners
are voicing strong opposition to the government's move to mandate E20 petrol — a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol — citing reduced mileage and increased running costs, according to a new survey conducted by LocalCircles,
Business Standard
reports.
The nationwide survey, which received over 36,000 responses from petrol vehicle owners across 315 districts, revealed that nearly two in three respondents who own vehicles purchased in 2022 or earlier reported a drop in fuel efficiency in 2025. Specifically, 22 per cent of them experienced a mileage drop of 15–20 per cent, another 22 per cent reported declines above 20 per cent, and 11 per cent noted a 10–15 per cent dip. Only 11 per cent of owners said their vehicles were unaffected.
Mounting Resistance Against E20 Rollout
When asked about the government's decision to sell only E20 petrol, 44 per cent of respondents opposed the move outright and called for the policy to be revoked. Another 22 per cent expressed conditional opposition, stating that they would support the mandate only if customers were given a choice of fuel blends (E5, E10, E20) along with price incentives. Just 12 per cent supported the current policy, while the remaining 22 per cent gave no definitive response.
Ethanol, a biofuel derived from crops like sugarcane and maize, is seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower India's crude oil import bill. However, older vehicles not designed for high ethanol blends face issues such as lower fuel efficiency and increased wear and tear.
Accelerated Ethanol Targets
The government revised its National Policy on Biofuels in 2022 to pre-pone the E20 target from 2030 to 2025–26. The target was achieved earlier this year. According to the petroleum ministry,
ethanol blending
reached 17.98 per cent by February 2025, and plans are now underway to raise the ratio to 27 per cent.
To support this, the Bureau of Indian Standards has been directed to set norms for E27, and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is working on required engine modifications. The government is also exploring biofuel use in diesel, including blending isobutanol at 10 per cent.
Industry Seeks Phased Transition
Automakers and industry experts have urged the government to adopt a phased rollout of higher ethanol blends. According to the LocalCircles report, many legacy petrol vehicles designed for E10 are not under warranty for E20 use and could face long-term damage.
While official studies and tests cited by the government show minimal impact on vehicle performance and engine health with E20 usage, the public remains concerned. The survey findings, which will be shared with government stakeholders, call for a more gradual transition to higher ethanol blends and greater consumer choice to avoid economic hardship for vehicle owners.
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