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Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
E20 rollout sparks consumer concerns: Mileage dip, engine woes reported — what car owners say about use of ethanol-blended petrol
Ethanol-blended petrol worries consumers (AI-image) The nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) has triggered a wave of questions and concerns from vehicle owners, with many claiming declining fuel efficiency, sluggish performance and higher maintenance costs. Service centres say non-E20-compliant vehicles — which still account for a majority on Indian roads — are facing engine wear and gasket failures, forcing consumers to recalibrate or replace parts. Car owners were quoted by Economic Times an their experience and opinion on government's Ethanol-based fuel. Mileage and performance hit? Rahul Vaidya, who owns a 2019 Volkswagen Vento, saw his car's mileage fall from 11–12 kmpl to 7–8 kmpl. 'The ride felt heavier, and the response wasn't as crisp,' he said, before a service centre confirmed his car wasn't E20-compliant. After replacing critical components and recalibrating the engine, performance was restored. Mahesh Nair, who drives a 2021 Suzuki Brezza, reported a similar drop of over 20 per cent in mileage, along with jerky drives and poor pick-up. His vehicle required ECU tuning and E20-compatible parts to resolve the issues. 'I had no idea my car wasn't ready for E20 in the first place,' he said. Industry executives estimate non-E20 vehicles may see fuel efficiency fall by around 7 per cent, while official studies, including those by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the Petroleum Ministry, peg the drop at 1–6 per cent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why this MBA won't break the bank SRM Online Learn More Undo ARAI director Reji Mathai said field trials had shown 'no abnormalities,' though some plastics and elastomers did degrade under testing. Policy push vs consumer awareness The ethanol-blending programme is central to India's energy strategy. From April 2023, all new vehicles were required to be E20-compliant, with stricter enforcement beginning April 2025. Yet, nine out of ten cars currently on the road are only E10-ready, designed to handle a maximum of 10 per cent ethanol. Consumers, however, appear largely unaware. 'There's a glaring gap in awareness. OEMs must educate car buyers. Consumers are stakeholders too,' said Naveen Soni, former president of Lexus India. Two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has issued advisories warning older vehicles may need modifications to run smoothly on E20. Some automakers have also hinted warranties may not hold for vehicles running on higher ethanol blends. Oil companies maintain additives are being introduced to limit corrosion. Brazil's decades-long experience with flex-fuel technology is often cited as a model, though experts note India's consumer transition is proving more abrupt. For the government, the programme has saved over Rs 1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014, substituted 245 lakh metric tonnes of crude, and cut CO₂ emissions by the equivalent of planting 30 crore trees. Ethanol demand has also boosted sugarcane farmers' incomes, with payments this year alone expected to touch Rs 40,000 crore. But for vehicle owners, the immediate impact is higher fuel bills and repairs. 'E20 has a lower heat content than pure petrol, so a marginal drop in fuel efficiency is inevitable,' said IV Rao, Distinguished Fellow at TERI. 'The extent will vary by manufacturer and model, but consumers must not be left in the dark.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's E20 fuel push leaves car owners struggling with mileage, repairs
When Rahul Vaidya noticed his 2019 Volkswagen Vento's mileage drop from a steady 11-12 kmpl to just 7-8 kmpl, he initially blamed it on traffic. Or maybe it was the age of the car, he thought. Over time, he figured that the response to a dab on the accelerator wasn't as crisp as it used to be. The ride felt heavier, and the fuel gauge continued to hover near E faster than ever. After months of living with these issues, he finally took his car to the service centre. The diagnosis was swift - his car wasn't E20-compliant. In case you have been living under a cave, the petrol now being sold across India contains 20 per cent ethanol - a formulation Vaidya's Vento wasn't designed to handle. Unless reinforced, ethanol-sensitive components like rubber seals, fuel lines and gaskets degrade and the engine, uncalibrated for this new fuel mix, underperforms. The fix: replace critical parts and recalibrate the engine. "These changes restored the performance," Vaidya said. "But I had no idea my car wasn't ready for E20 in the first place." He's not alone. Mahesh Nair, who owns a 2021 Suzuki Brezza, saw his mileage drop by more than a fifth. Jerky drives, poor pick-up, and sluggish acceleration became the norm. After much back-and-forth with mechanics, he too learned the cause - and solution. His car, though newer, needed ECU tuning and E20-compatible components to handle the new fuel. Once fixed, the issues vanished. Both Vaidya and Nair's experience points to a larger issue. India's ethanol transition is outpacing consumer awareness. And that is creating major issues for India's automobile owners, oil cos, automakers and lawmakers who are blaming each other. Simply put, one of the biggest transitions in fuel standards ever in India missed taking people along. A notchy shift As part of an ambitious ethanol-blending programme, the Indian government mandated E20 fuel availability across the country from nearly two and half years back. From April 2023, all new vehicles were required to be E20-compliant, with stricter enforcement from April 2025. But nine out of 10 cars currently on Indian roads are only E10-ready, meaning they're built to handle a maximum of 10 per cent ethanol in petrol. Mixing higher concentrations can affect their fuel efficiency, engine health and long-term reliability. And with consumer experience playing out over a period of time, that is creating discontent among car owners. Many consumers don't even know what E20 is - or whether their vehicle can handle it. "There's a glaring gap in awareness," said Naveen Soni, former president of Lexus India. "OEMs must educate car buyers. Consumers are stakeholders too. They deserve transparency." Service centres report increasing cases of rough idling, knocking engines, worn gaskets, and fuel pump failures. The fixes are usually straightforward - replacing rubber hoses and recalibrating engines - and can often be done during regular servicing. But not all technicians know what to look for, and there's no escalation protocol in place yet. With the issues consumers are facing lagging the rolling out of the fuel by a few months at the very least, attribution of the problem to the fuel is creating simmering discontent now. Right label For the average driver, the shift to E20 feels subtle - until it isn't. There's no standardised labeling at fuel pumps to indicate what blend is being dispensed. Car owners unknowingly fill up with E20, assuming it's the same petrol they've always used. But behind the scenes, the ethanol's corrosive and hygroscopic nature - it absorbs water from the air - wreaks havoc if the vehicle sits idle for long. The fuel itself doesn't help. Ethanol has around 34 per cent less energy content than petrol, meaning it naturally delivers fewer kilometers per litre. Industry executives estimate a 7 per cent efficiency drop in non-E20 vehicles, though official studies, like those from ARAI and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), claim it's only 1-6 per cent. Reji Mathai, director, ARAI says in the run up to the implementation of E20, ARAI, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil, under the directive of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) had undertaken a joint study where they picked up new and old E10 compatible vehicle mix of two and four wheelers (BS VI & BS IV) and evaluated them on E20. "The vehicles performed satisfactorily and there was a minor increase of 2 to 6 per cent in fuel consumption. The accelerated lab tests for material compatibility showed some degradation of certain plastics & elastomers that come in contact with the fuel. However, field trials showed no abnormalities." Car and two-wheeler manufacturers are walking a tightrope. Many unofficially admit that warranties may not hold if E10-designed cars use E20 fuel. Two-wheeler companies, including market leader Hero MotoCorp, have issued advisories to customers on the potential impact of the E20 fuel . "Older vehicles, manufactured prior to April 2023, may require modifications in the engine-fuel system for it to be tuned to run efficiently on E20 fuel," it said on its website. "We didn't ask for ethanol blending," said a senior executive at a major carmaker, speaking anonymously. "So why should we foot the repair bill? Rubber and plastic parts corrode, especially when the car isn't driven regularly. It's a known issue." Oil companies are adding necessary additives to address any fuel related corrosion issues, Mathai says. Brazil, the world's second-largest ethanol producer, took decades to arrive at its current "flex-fuel" success model. Ricardo de Oliveira Lima, former VP of Brazil's automotive dealers' federation, suggests India consult companies like Magneti Marelli and Bosch - pioneers in corrosion-resistant flex-fuel technology. In Brazil, ethanol is viable when priced at 70 per cent of gasoline - an equation that makes environmental and economic sense. But India isn't there yet. Win some, lose some From the government's perspective, the ethanol blending programme is a strategic win. According to MoPNG, from 2014 to 2025, ethanol blending has helped India save over ₹1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substitute 245 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, and reduce CO₂ emissions by 736 lakh metric tonnes - equivalent to planting 30 crore trees. But the economic alignment with agriculture and energy security - including benefits to sugarcane farmers and lower crude oil dependency - has left average consumers playing catch-up. "Earlier, sugar prices were down and farmers struggled," said Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association. "Today, sugar prices are up 11 per cent, and with ethanol in demand, farmers finally get better prices." MoPNG also claims that payments to farmers from ethanol alone this year will touch ₹40,000 crore, with forex savings of ₹43,000 crore. However, for existing owners, dropping mileage and rising maintenance costs are adding up. "E20 has a lower heat content than pure petrol, so a marginal drop in fuel efficiency is inevitable," said IV Rao, Distinguished Fellow at TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute). "The extent will vary by manufacturer and model, depending on how the engine is tuned, and actual mileage will still be influenced by driving style and road conditions." The ministry maintains that performance issues can be addressed via routine servicing and minor part upgrades. But for owners, it's about not being left in the dark. Bajaj Auto has shared a simple solution to keep BS3 and older motorcycles running smoothly on E20 petrol, despite ethanol's tendency to absorb moisture and cause damage to engine components. By adding 40 mL of fuel system cleaner per full tank, riders can prevent gum formation and protect parts like gaskets and butterfly walls. This cleaner is easily available at fuel stations for around ₹80-100. It's about the right to know what's going into their tanks - and what it is doing to their vehicles.>
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Economic Times
India's ethanol transition: A new blend, but a bumpy ride
Synopsis India's rapid shift to E20 fuel, containing 20% ethanol, is causing unforeseen issues for car owners. Many vehicles, designed for E10 fuel, experience reduced mileage and engine problems due to E20's corrosive properties. While the government touts economic and environmental benefits, consumers face unexpected maintenance costs and a lack of clear information about fuel compatibility. ANI The govt says that performance issues can be addressed via routine servicing and minor part upgrades. But for owners, it's about not being left in the dark. When Rahul Vaidya noticed his 2019 Volkswagen Vento's mileage drop from a steady 11-12 kmpl to just 7-8 kmpl, he initially blamed it on traffic. Or maybe it was the age of the car, he time, he figured that the response to a dab on the accelerator wasn't as crisp as it used to be. The ride felt heavier, and the fuel gauge continued to hover near E faster than ever. After months of living with these issues, he finally took his car to the service centre. The diagnosis was swift - his car wasn't E20-compliant. In case you have been living under a cave, the petrol now being sold across India contains 20% ethanol - a formulation Vaidya's Vento wasn't designed to handle. Unless reinforced, ethanol-sensitive components like rubber seals, fuel lines and gaskets degrade and the engine, uncalibrated for this new fuel mix, underperforms. The fix: replace critical parts and recalibrate the engine. "These changes restored the performance," Vaidya said. "But I had no idea my car wasn't ready for E20 in the first place."He's not Nair, who owns a 2021 Suzuki Brezza, saw his mileage drop by more than a fifth. Jerky drives, poor pick-up, and sluggish acceleration became the norm. After much back-and-forth with mechanics, he too learned the cause - and car, though newer, needed ECU tuning and E20-compatible components to handle the new fuel. Once fixed, the issues Vaidya and Nair's experience points to a larger ethanol transition is outpacing consumer awareness. And that is creating major issues for India's automobile owners, oil cos, automakers and lawmakers who are blaming each other. Simply put, one of the biggest transitions in fuel standards ever in India missed taking people along. As part of an ambitious ethanol-blending programme, the Indian government mandated E20 fuel availability across the country from nearly two and half years back. From April 2023, all new vehicles were required to be E20-compliant, with stricter enforcement from April nine out of 10 cars currently on Indian roads are only E10-ready, meaning they're built to handle a maximum of 10% ethanol in petrol. Mixing higher concentrations can affect their fuel efficiency, engine health and long-term with consumer experience playing out over a period of time, that is creating discontent among car owners. Many consumers don't even know what E20 is - or whether their vehicle can handle it. "There's a glaring gap in awareness," said Naveen Soni, former president of Lexus India. "OEMs must educate car buyers. Consumers are stakeholders too. They deserve transparency."Service centres report increasing cases of rough idling, knocking engines, worn gaskets, and fuel pump failures. The fixes are usually straightforward - replacing rubber hoses and recalibrating engines - and can often be done during regular servicing. But not all technicians know what to look for, and there's no escalation protocol in place the issues consumers are facing lagging the rolling out of the fuel by a few months at the very least, attribution of the problem to the fuel is creating simmering discontent the average driver, the shift to E20 feels subtle - until it isn' no standardised labeling at fuel pumps to indicate what blend is being dispensed. Car owners unknowingly fill up with E20, assuming it's the same petrol they've always used. But behind the scenes, the ethanol's corrosive and hygroscopic nature - it absorbs water from the air - wreaks havoc if the vehicle sits idle for fuel itself doesn't help. Ethanol has around 34% less energy content than petrol, meaning it naturally delivers fewer kilometers per executives estimate a 7% efficiency drop in non-E20 vehicles, though official studies, like those from ARAI and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), claim it's only 1-6%.Reji Mathai, director, ARAI says in the run up to the implementation of E20, ARAI, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil, under the directive of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) had undertaken a joint study where they picked up new and old E10 compatible vehicle mix of two and four wheelers (BS VI & BS IV) and evaluated them on E20."The vehicles performed satisfactorily and there was a minor increase of 2 to 6% in fuel consumption. The accelerated lab tests for material compatibility showed some degradation of certain plastics & elastomers that come in contact with the fuel. However, field trials showed no abnormalities."Car and two-wheeler manufacturers are walking a tightrope. Many unofficially admit that warranties may not hold if E10-designed cars use E20 companies, including market leader Hero MotoCorp, have issued advisories to customers on the potential impact of the E20 fuel ."Older vehicles, manufactured prior to April 2023, may require modifications in the engine-fuel system for it to be tuned to run efficiently on E20 fuel," it said on its website. "We didn't ask for ethanol blending," said a senior executive at a major carmaker, speaking anonymously. "So why should we foot the repair bill? Rubber and plastic parts corrode, especially when the car isn't driven regularly. It's a known issue." Oil companies are adding necessary additives to address any fuel related corrosion issues, Mathai the world's second-largest ethanol producer, took decades to arrive at its current "flex-fuel" success model. Ricardo de Oliveira Lima, former VP of Brazil's automotive dealers' federation, suggests India consult companies like Magneti Marelli and Bosch - pioneers in corrosion-resistant flex-fuel Brazil, ethanol is viable when priced at 70% of gasoline - an equation that makes environmental and economic sense. But India isn't there the government's perspective, the ethanol blending programme is a strategic win. According to MoPNG, from 2014 to 2025, ethanol blending has helped India save over ₹1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substitute 245 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, and reduce CO₂ emissions by 736 lakh metric tonnes - equivalent to planting 30 crore the economic alignment with agriculture and energy security - including benefits to sugarcane farmers and lower crude oil dependency - has left average consumers playing catch-up."Earlier, sugar prices were down and farmers struggled," said Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association. "Today, sugar prices are up 11%, and with ethanol in demand, farmers finally get better prices."MoPNG also claims that payments to farmers from ethanol alone this year will touch ₹40,000 crore, with forex savings of ₹43,000 for existing owners, dropping mileage and rising maintenance costs are adding up."E20 has a lower heat content than pure petrol, so a marginal drop in fuel efficiency is inevitable," said IV Rao, Distinguished Fellow at TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute). "The extent will vary by manufacturer and model, depending on how the engine is tuned, and actual mileage will still be influenced by driving style and road conditions." The ministry maintains that performance issues can be addressed via routine servicing and minor part upgrades. But for owners, it's about not being left in the Auto has shared a simple solution to keep BS3 and older motorcycles running smoothly on E20 petrol, despite ethanol's tendency to absorb moisture and cause damage to engine components. By adding 40 mL of fuel system cleaner per full tank, riders can prevent gum formation and protect parts like gaskets and butterfly walls. This cleaner is easily available at fuel stations for around ₹80-100. It's about the right to know what's going into their tanks - and what it is doing to their vehicles.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's ethanol transition: A new blend, but a bumpy ride
When Rahul Vaidya noticed his 2019 Volkswagen Vento's mileage drop from a steady 11-12 kmpl to just 7-8 kmpl, he initially blamed it on traffic. Or maybe it was the age of the car, he thought. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Over time, he figured that the response to a dab on the accelerator wasn't as crisp as it used to be. The ride felt heavier, and the fuel gauge continued to hover near E faster than ever. After months of living with these issues, he finally took his car to the service centre. The diagnosis was swift - his car wasn't E20-compliant. In case you have been living under a cave, the petrol now being sold across India contains 20% ethanol - a formulation Vaidya's Vento wasn't designed to handle. Unless reinforced, ethanol-sensitive components like rubber seals, fuel lines and gaskets degrade and the engine, uncalibrated for this new fuel mix, underperforms. The fix: replace critical parts and recalibrate the engine. "These changes restored the performance," Vaidya said. "But I had no idea my car wasn't ready for E20 in the first place." He's not alone. Mahesh Nair, who owns a 2021 Suzuki Brezza, saw his mileage drop by more than a fifth. Jerky drives, poor pick-up, and sluggish acceleration became the norm. After much back-and-forth with mechanics, he too learned the cause - and solution. His car, though newer, needed ECU tuning and E20-compatible components to handle the new fuel. Once fixed, the issues vanished. Both Vaidya and Nair's experience points to a larger issue. India's ethanol transition is outpacing consumer awareness. And that is creating major issues for India's automobile owners, oil cos, automakers and lawmakers who are blaming each other. Simply put, one of the biggest transitions in fuel standards ever in India missed taking people along. A Notchy Shift As part of an ambitious ethanol-blending programme, the Indian government mandated E20 fuel availability across the country from nearly two and half years back. From April 2023, all new vehicles were required to be E20-compliant, with stricter enforcement from April 2025. But nine out of 10 cars currently on Indian roads are only E10-ready, meaning they're built to handle a maximum of 10% ethanol in petrol. Mixing higher concentrations can affect their fuel efficiency, engine health and long-term reliability. And with consumer experience playing out over a period of time, that is creating discontent among car owners. Many consumers don't even know what E20 is - or whether their vehicle can handle it. "There's a glaring gap in awareness," said Naveen Soni, former president of Lexus India. "OEMs must educate car buyers. Consumers are stakeholders too. They deserve transparency." Service centres report increasing cases of rough idling, knocking engines, worn gaskets, and fuel pump failures. The fixes are usually straightforward - replacing rubber hoses and recalibrating engines - and can often be done during regular servicing. But not all technicians know what to look for, and there's no escalation protocol in place yet. With the issues consumers are facing lagging the rolling out of the fuel by a few months at the very least, attribution of the problem to the fuel is creating simmering discontent now. Right Label For the average driver, the shift to E20 feels subtle - until it isn't. There's no standardised labeling at fuel pumps to indicate what blend is being dispensed. Car owners unknowingly fill up with E20, assuming it's the same petrol they've always used. But behind the scenes, the ethanol's corrosive and hygroscopic nature - it absorbs water from the air - wreaks havoc if the vehicle sits idle for long. The fuel itself doesn't help. Ethanol has around 34% less energy content than petrol, meaning it naturally delivers fewer kilometers per litre. Industry executives estimate a 7% efficiency drop in non-E20 vehicles, though official studies, like those from ARAI and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), claim it's only 1-6%. Reji Mathai, director, ARAI says in the run up to the implementation of E20, ARAI, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil, under the directive of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) had undertaken a joint study where they picked up new and old E10 compatible vehicle mix of two and four wheelers (BS VI & BS IV) and evaluated them on E20. "The vehicles performed satisfactorily and there was a minor increase of 2 to 6% in fuel consumption. The accelerated lab tests for material compatibility showed some degradation of certain plastics & elastomers that come in contact with the fuel. However, field trials showed no abnormalities." Car and two-wheeler manufacturers are walking a tightrope. Many unofficially admit that warranties may not hold if E10-designed cars use E20 fuel. Two-wheeler companies, including market leader Hero MotoCorp, have issued advisories to customers on the potential impact of the E20 fuel . "Older vehicles, manufactured prior to April 2023, may require modifications in the engine-fuel system for it to be tuned to run efficiently on E20 fuel," it said on its website. "We didn't ask for ethanol blending ," said a senior executive at a major carmaker, speaking anonymously. "So why should we foot the repair bill? Rubber and plastic parts corrode, especially when the car isn't driven regularly. It's a known issue." Oil companies are adding necessary additives to address any fuel related corrosion issues, Mathai says. Brazil, the world's second-largest ethanol producer, took decades to arrive at its current "flex-fuel" success model. Ricardo de Oliveira Lima, former VP of Brazil's automotive dealers' federation, suggests India consult companies like Magneti Marelli and Bosch - pioneers in corrosion-resistant flex-fuel technology. In Brazil, ethanol is viable when priced at 70% of gasoline - an equation that makes environmental and economic sense. But India isn't there yet. Win Some, Lose Some From the government's perspective, the ethanol blending programme is a strategic win. According to MoPNG, from 2014 to 2025, ethanol blending has helped India save over ₹1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substitute 245 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, and reduce CO₂ emissions by 736 lakh metric tonnes - equivalent to planting 30 crore trees. But the economic alignment with agriculture and energy security - including benefits to sugarcane farmers and lower crude oil dependency - has left average consumers playing catch-up. "Earlier, sugar prices were down and farmers struggled," said Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association. "Today, sugar prices are up 11%, and with ethanol in demand, farmers finally get better prices." MoPNG also claims that payments to farmers from ethanol alone this year will touch ₹40,000 crore, with forex savings of ₹43,000 crore. However, for existing owners, dropping mileage and rising maintenance costs are adding up. "E20 has a lower heat content than pure petrol, so a marginal drop in fuel efficiency is inevitable," said IV Rao, Distinguished Fellow at TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute). "The extent will vary by manufacturer and model, depending on how the engine is tuned, and actual mileage will still be influenced by driving style and road conditions." The ministry maintains that performance issues can be addressed via routine servicing and minor part upgrades. But for owners, it's about not being left in the dark. Bajaj Auto has shared a simple solution to keep BS3 and older motorcycles running smoothly on E20 petrol, despite ethanol's tendency to absorb moisture and cause damage to engine components. By adding 40 mL of fuel system cleaner per full tank, riders can prevent gum formation and protect parts like gaskets and butterfly walls. This cleaner is easily available at fuel stations for around ₹80-100. It's about the right to know what's going into their tanks - and what it is doing to their vehicles.
Economic Times
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Economic Times
‘Driving Hyundai with Mercedes mileage': Car owners blame E20 fuel for shocking drop in mileage
Synopsis India's early achievement of its E20 fuel target sparks debate as vehicle owners report mileage dips, raising concerns about engine compatibility, especially in older models. While the government defends E20 as safe and beneficial for emissions and foreign exchange savings, critics cite reduced fuel efficiency. The nation is now advancing towards E27 fuel. TIL Creatives The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has dismissed claims that E20 significantly reduces fuel efficiency. India recently celebrated achieving its ambitious E20 fuel target—20% ethanol-blended petrol—five years ahead of schedule. But even as the country advances toward greener fuels, growing concerns are emerging over fuel efficiency and engine compatibility with E20. Several vehicle owners have taken to social media to report a significant dip in mileage after switching to E20. One Volkswagen Vento owner, Pramod Joshi, claimed his car's mileage dropped from 10 km/litre to just 6 km/litre after refuelling at an HPCL station. 'Cars made after 2020 are E20-compliant, so they may not face issues,' he acknowledged, 'but most vehicles on Indian roads are older and not designed for this blend.' Joshi added that while foreign countries use even higher ethanol blends—like E80—the vehicles there are specifically built to handle such fuels. That's not the case in India, especially for cars manufactured before 2020. — hey_i_m_pramod (@hey_i_m_pramod) Multiple users echoed similar concerns. One Honda owner said his car's mileage dropped from 12 kmpl to 8 kmpl. 'Being a mechanical engineer, I can confidently say this drop is due to ethanol-adulterated fuel. Whatever savings the government claims, we're paying it back through more frequent refuelling and higher maintenance,' he wrote. Another user reported his Tata Tigor's mileage on highways fell from 25 kmpl to 20 kmpl after using E20. 'We're paying more for petrol and getting less efficiency in return.' A Honda City and Maruti Brezza owner summed up the frustration with a sarcastic remark: 'Feels like driving a Hyundai with Mercedes mileage.' However, not everyone is buying into the outrage. Some social media users accused others of resisting reform without understanding the science or global practices. 'Many countries, including the EU, USA, and China, are already using ethanol blends," one wrote accusing others of spreading misinformation. Notably just recently, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has dismissed claims that E20 significantly reduces fuel efficiency. Calling the allegations 'factually incorrect' and 'unscientific,' the ministry clarified that E20 is safe for both new and older vehicles. It noted that while minor part replacements—like gaskets or rubber components—may be required after 20,000–30,000 km, they fall under standard servicing costs. Ethanol has lower energy content than petrol, which can impact mileage. For E10-tuned vehicles upgraded to handle E20, mileage may fall by just 1–2%. For others, the drop may range between 3–6%, which can be mitigated with proper engine tuning, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Since April 2023, manufacturers in India have started producing E20-compliant vehicles with reinforced fuel systems to prevent ethanol-related wear and tear. Despite the criticism, ethanol remains a cornerstone of India's green energy policy. A NITI Aayog-backed study shows that sugarcane-based ethanol cuts CO₂ emissions by 65% compared to petrol, while maize-based ethanol reduces emissions by 50%. The ethanol program has saved the country approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014 and generated ₹1.96 lakh crore in distillery revenues. Farmers supplying raw materials have collectively earned ₹1.18 lakh crore. In terms of environmental impact, 698 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions have been avoided. Following the rollout of E20, the government is now working on introducing E27—petrol with 27% ethanol content. Standards are expected to be finalized by the end of August 2025, with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) assessing required engine modifications. Ethanol production in India has surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661 crore litres in 2025, making it a crucial part of India's carbon reduction and energy independence goals.
