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Amidst long-standing concerns about E20 petrol, the central government has made a significant statement in Parliament. The government clarified that using E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol, may result in a 2 to 6 percent reduction in mileage, depending on the vehicle’s category and age, but it does not harm the engine.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that scientific tests conducted on E20 fuel did not reveal any problems like engine failure, abnormal wear, corrosion or reduced vehicle life. According to the government, extensive tests were conducted by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on two-wheelers and four-wheelers conforming to BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI standards.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi also stated that the ethanol blending program has been implemented based on a thorough scientific study and a phased process. NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, and oil marketing companies have also participated in this. The government claims that over 200 million two-wheelers and over 30 million petrol cars in the country have used E15+ and E20 blended petrol. Despite this, automakers’ service records have not confirmed any major technical damage or engine abnormalities due to E20.

The government also stated that E20 helps reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30%. This fuel is also playing a vital role in reducing dependence on crude oil imports, saving foreign exchange, and increasing farmers’ income. The government states that E20 aims not only to reduce pollution but also to make India energy self-reliant.