Government said in Parliament – E20 petrol does not spoil the engine: 23 crore vehicles are running without any problem, the mileage of old vehicles has dropped marginally.

The government has clarified that no evidence has been found of E20 fuel causing damage to the engine. (file photo)

There is no concrete report of vehicle engines getting damaged or suddenly stopping due to petrol i.e. E20 fuel mixed with 20% ethanol in the country. The government gave this information in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha i.e. Parliament today i.e. on July 20.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said that this conclusion has been reached on the basis of experiences of running more than 23 crore vehicles across the country and several scientific studies. The government has clarified that no evidence has been found of E20 fuel causing damage to the engine.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi gave this clarification in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. (file photo)

20 crore two-wheelers and 3 crore cars running without any complaint

Rajya Sabha Minister Suresh Gopi said that more than 20 crore two-wheelers and more than 3 crore petrol cars in the country are currently running on ethanol blended fuel. A large number of these also include old vehicles which were manufactured before getting E20 certification.

Even after looking at the data and service records of all these vehicles, there has been no concrete confirmation of engine failure or any major vehicle breakdown due to ethanol blending.

Changes were not made without thinking

The government told the House that the decision to take the country towards E20 fuel was not taken suddenly. It has been completely phased and based on scientific evidence.

In the year 2013-14, where ethanol blending in petrol was only 1.53%, it has been increased to 20% (E20) by the year 2025-26 only after discussions scientifically and at every level with all the stakeholders.

Confirmation from service data of automobile companies also

According to data shared by the ministry, the country’s leading four-wheeler manufacturing company serviced a total of 2.84 crore vehicles during the financial year 2025-26. The surprising thing is that these vehicles included 1.5 crore old vehicles which were non-E20 certified, i.e. which were not made according to E20 fuel.

Despite this, not a single report of any damage to the vehicle due to E20 fuel was recorded in the company’s service records. Similarly, large service data from a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country also revealed no different incidence of defects in vehicles running on E20 as compared to the earlier fuel blend.

Impact on mileage: 3 to 5% reduction possible in old vehicles, but you will get these 4 big benefits

On the question of fuel efficiency (mileage), the government made it clear that the mileage of any vehicle depends on the driving conditions, driver’s habits and maintenance of the vehicle. However, the government acknowledged that some older vehicles designed for E10 (10% ethanol) may experience a slight reduction in mileage of about 3% to 5%. But in return, E20 fuel provides many benefits to the vehicle and the environment:

• Higher Octane Rating: E20 fuel has a higher octane rating, which gives better power to the vehicle.
• Anti-Knock Features: This prevents unwanted noise (knocking) in the engine and increases engine life.
• Cleaner Combustion: The fuel burns completely and cleanly, causing very little pollution.
• Smoother Engine Operation: The engine feels much smoother while driving.

Currently no decision on blending more than 20%

When the Minister was asked in the Rajya Sabha whether ethanol blending would be increased beyond 20% in future, he clarified that no such decision has been taken at present. Any further decision will be taken only after a thorough technical study with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and research institutes.

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Also read this news related to E-20 petrol…

Engine damaged due to pouring E-20 petrol in Raipur: Consumer Court said – Maruti Suzuki should give a new car or return 20 lakhs; country’s first case

The use of E20 (20 percent ethanol blended fuel) in petrol is being promoted across the country. Meanwhile, a case of car engine getting damaged due to E20 petrol has come to light in Raipur. In this matter, the Consumer Court has held Maruti Suzuki India Limited and its authorized dealer responsible. The court said that a new car should be given or Rs 20 lakh should be returned. Read the full news…

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