&w=3840&q=100)
E5, E10, E20: What do these ethanol labels actually mean?
Here's a breakdown of what the E5, E10, and E20 labels mean and how they affect your vehicles.
What's the latest
According to a release by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on March 20, India achieved the 20 per cent ethanol blending target (E20) around five years ahead of schedule, initially set for 2030.
Similar to E20, the target of 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol was achieved in June 2022, five months ahead of the target during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2021-22.
Since June, ethanol blending gradually increased to 12.06 per cent in ESY 2022-23, 14.60 per cent in ESY 2023-24 and 17.98 per cent in ESY 2024-25 by February 28. So far, no decision has been taken by the government to increase ethanol blending beyond 20 per cent.
In January, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that E20 fuel was available at more than 9,300 stations in India. The government was on track to cover the entire country by 2025, he said. To boost the adoption of E20 fuel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched it in 84 retail outlets of oil marketing companies across 11 states and union territories in 2023.
What the labels mean
The labels – E5, E10, and E20 – represent blends of ethanol with petrol or gasoline. The numerals indicate the percentage of ethanol blended in the fuel.
E5 = 5% ethanol + 95% petrol
E10 = 10% ethanol + 90% petrol
E20 = 20% ethanol + 80% petrol
Why is ethanol added to petrol?
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel, usually made from sugarcane, corn, or grains. Mixing ethanol with petrol can help reduce oil imports, cut CO2 emissions, and support farmers through increased demand for crops like sugarcane.
It reportedly helps reduce waste, as ethanol is not just made from sugarcane, but also from surplus rice, maize, damaged food grains, and agricultural residues.
A Niti Aayog study on life cycle emissions of ethanol assessed that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the case of sugarcane and maize-based ethanol are 50-65 per cent lower than petrol. E20 blending helped India reduce emissions by 700 lakh tonnes.
On Monday, the Petroleum Ministry listed the benefits of E20 fuel while also addressing the concerns regarding its adoption in a lengthy post on X.
'The E20 blending significantly strengthens India's energy security by reducing dependence on crude oil imports. Since FY15, India has saved over ₹1.40 trillion in foreign exchange through petrol substitution,' the ministry said.
The ministry added that ethanol blending is also supporting the rural economy. Payments of over ₹1.20 trillion were made to farmers, thereby creating income and employment opportunities in the agricultural and biofuel sectors.
Is it safe for your vehicle?
Several reports claiming that the use of E20 fuel reduces the vehicle's mileage were being circulated in the media. According to a survey by LocalCircles released on Tuesday, two in three vehicle owners with a vehicle that was purchased in 2022 or earlier opposed the government's E20 petrol mandate. They said that their vehicle's fuel mileage had reduced in 2025.
However, the petroleum ministry called these reports 'largely unfounded and not supported by scientific evidence or expert analysis.'
Explaining that ethanol is lower in energy density than petrol, the ministry said that there is only a marginal decrease in mileage. The decline is estimated at 1–2 per cent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3–6 per cent in vehicles, the ministry added.
It further mentioned that this marginal drop can be further minimised through improved engine tuning and the use of E20-compatible materials.
Most of the leading automobile manufacturers have already adopted E20-compatible materials. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has confirmed that E20-compliant vehicles began rolling out from April 2023.
Ride quality and vehicle performance
According to the Ministry of Petroleum, ethanol has a higher octane number (108.5 approx) than petrol (84.4 approx). High-octane fuels (95 RON approx) are better suited for modern, high-compression engines, which results in a smoother and more powerful drive.
Vehicles tuned for E20 fuel can deliver even better performance, thanks to the increased octane content.
Ethanol also has a higher heat of vaporisation, which cools the engine's intake system. This improves the air-fuel mix, making the engine more efficient.
What BIS requires?
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body of India, has set formal mandates for ethanol-blended petrol. While IS 15464 (2022) covers the requirements for anhydrous ethanol, the pure ethanol used in blends, IS 17021(2018) specifies the quality and testing criteria for E20 fuel used in spark-ignition engines.
Under the mandate, oil marketing companies need to ensure that the ethanol is homogeneously blended at 19–20 per cent volume. Regular ethanol-content checks via the BIS-mandated water-extraction method need to be done.
What you'll see at the fuel pumps
E20 dispensers have display labels like 'E20' along with RON (octane) value, and BIS certification mark. Oil marketing companies declare ethanol content compliance and blending quality visibly on pump signage. If ethanol falls outside acceptable limits (per company lab tests), sales must be stopped until corrected.
What should consumers look for?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Majority of petrol vehicle owners oppose E20 fuel mandate over mileage concerns: Survey
A majority of Indian 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.
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Modi to inaugurate swanky new address for central ministries today. Inside the hi-tech Kartavya Bhavan
The makeover of the staid, decrepit central government offices is one of the most ambitious urban upgrade projects of Lutyens Delhi and is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which was launched in 2019. The CCS has been given a new name now—Kartavya Bhavan—and the first of the ten CCS buildings (or CCS-3) is finally complete and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday. The original deadline for the completion of three CCS buildings was November 2023. Two other buildings are due for completion next month. New Delhi: Access-controlled offices, swanky conference rooms, open floor work halls, CCTVs on every floor and more. Phase by phase, the Common Central Secretariat (CCS), which will house all the central government ministries, is finally taking shape on the land where the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts once stood in Delhi's Janpath. Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building are part of the redevelopment project. As of now, only the Ministry of Home Affairs has moved into CCS-3 from its earlier North Block address. Next to move in will be the petroleum and natural gas and rural development ministries, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Tuesday while briefing the media at CCS-3. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 3,690 crore for the construction of CCS 1, 2 and 3. In all, the CCS will have ten new building blocks where the different central government ministries will be housed. At a press briefing Tuesday, housing secretary K Srinivas said the CCS will be ready in entirety by mid-2027. 'By December 2025, work will start on all the remaining buildings and with new building technology that we are using, we will be able to complete it within 24 months,' Srinivas said. The CCS will have 24 main conference rooms with capacity to seat 45 people, 26 small conference rooms that can seat 25 people each, and 67 small meeting rooms that can hold nine people each. The old Central Secretariat complex currently houses the offices of 22 Union ministries, housing 41,000 employees. It includes offices of central ministries housed in Shastri Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan and Vayu Bhawan among others. While a majority of the central government ministries will move to CCS, some like the Vanijya Bhawan, which houses the offices of the commerce ministry, and Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, which houses the offices of the external affairs ministry, will be retained. Other buildings in the Central Secretariat Complex that will be retained include the National Museum and Ambedkar Auditorium. 'These buildings have come up fairly recently,' Srinivas said. The CCS building will also have several green features such as double-glazed glass windows and façade for enhanced thermal insulation, reduced noise, and minimised condensation. There will also be energy efficient LED lighting, occupancy sensors and daylight sensors to achieve 30 percent energy savings. Entry to the building will be through an ID card based access control system—both for officials and visitors. The building will also have power fencing on the boundary wall for perimeter security. There will be an integrated command and control centre for Central Vista from where all the movement in the area will be monitored. Also Read: Plan changes & lack of clarity, what's causing delays in Delhi's Central Vista revamp project Prime Minister's Residence A brand new Prime Minister's Office, called Executive Enclave, and Prime Minister's residence is also in the pipeline. Addressing a press briefing on the eve of the PM inaugurating the first CCS building, Khattar said that work on the Executive Enclave is on and will be completed soon. The Executive Enclave is coming up at the site where the South Block stands now. Work on the Prime Minister's new residence has also begun. 'We have bid out the project,' a senior housing ministry official said. The Prime Minister's Residence Complex, which will be part of Executive Enclave-II, is one of the most important and high-profile components of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. Coming up on Dara Shikoh Road near South Block in Delhi, the complex will be spread over a total built-up area of 2,26,203 square feet and is estimated to cost Rs 467 crore. Of the total built-up area, the PM's residence will be spread out over an area of 36,328 square feet. ThePrint had earlier reported that besides the prime minister's main residence on the ground and first floors, the complex located south of South Block will also contain the PM's home office, an indoor sports facility, support staff quarters, a Special Protection Group (SPG) office, a Seva Sadan, as well as a security office. An important component of the complex will be a subterranean VIP tunnel that can be accessed from the PM's home office. It will directly connect the PM's residence to the Executive Enclave, which will house the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the new Parliament and the Vice-President's residence. (Edited by Gitanjali Das) Also Read: Central Vista museum committee 'met only once' since 2022. No clarity on artefacts' destination
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Land acquisition begins for Rs 22,864cr Shillong-Silchar high-speed corridor
Shillong: Land acquisition process for the construction of the Shillong-Silchar Greenfield high-speed four-lane corridor has officially begun, with the route passing through Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya. District deputy commissioner Abhilash Baranwal has urged residents not to undertake any new construction or development activities within the designated area for the proposed highway. "It is hereby clearly stated that any unauthorised structures — whether temporary or permanent — erected within the proposed alignment after the issuance of this notice will not be considered eligible for compensation during land acquisition or project implementation," a notification issued by the DC stated. The cabinet committee on economic affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had earlier approved the development, maintenance, and management of a 166.80 km Greenfield Access Controlled section of NH-06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam. The project will be executed under the hybrid annuity mode at a total capital cost of Rs 22,864 crore. Of the total length, 144.8km falls within Meghalaya and 22km in Assam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo According to an official statement issued on April 30, the corridor will improve traffic flow between Guwahati and Silchar, enhancing connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region. It is expected to reduce travel time and distance, thereby boosting logistics efficiency nationwide. The corridor will also improve economic development in Meghalaya, especially in cement and coal-producing areas, and promote tourism by connecting scenic destinations across the northeast. It will link Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar airports via the existing NH-06, facilitating access for both domestic and international tourists. Crossing through Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, and Cachar district in Assam, the project is expected to ease congestion on NH-06 and enhance transport infrastructure in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The alignment integrates with major transport corridors including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, ensuring seamless connectivity to key locations such as Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, Kalain, and others. Upon completion, the Shillong-Silchar corridor is expected to play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, improving connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala. The project aligns with the government's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to generate employment and foster socio-economic development across Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Meanwhile, the Meghalaya govt, through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), is set to acquire land for the corridor's alignment through 34 villages in East Jaintia Hills district. These include Tuber Shohshrieh, Wapung Shnong, Lad Rymbai Datsimpein, Khlieriat East, Borghat, Umkiang, Ratacherra, and others. Informing the public on Tuesday, the East Jaintia Hills district collector said any new construction within the designated corridor area must receive prior permission from the DC's office. "Unauthorised structures — whether private or commercial — erected within the proposed right of way after the issuance of this notice will not be eligible for compensation," the order stated, adding that it comes into immediate effect.
