The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has refuted claims circulating on social media that the use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) leads to a significant reduction in fuel efficiency and other performance issues in vehicles. The ministry has called such claims "misplaced" and part of a "false narrative," asserting that E20, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, offers several benefits, including improved acceleration, better ride quality, and reduced carbon emissions.
In a detailed press release, the ministry defended the government's ethanol-blending program, highlighting its economic and environmental advantages. It clarified that E20 fuel does not void vehicle insurance in India, dismissing concerns raised in social media posts as "totally baseless". The ministry stated that the use of E20 results in approximately 30% lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel (petrol blended with 10% ethanol).
The ministry emphasized that vehicles tuned for E20 deliver noticeably better acceleration, which is particularly beneficial in city driving conditions. This is attributed to ethanol's higher-octane number (108.5) compared to petrol (84.4), which enhances engine performance. Furthermore, ethanol's higher heat of vaporization reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency. The ministry noted that regular petrol in India has a Research Octane Number (RON) of 91 to meet BS-VI emission norms, and blending with E20 further improves this to RON 95, resulting in better anti-knocking properties and performance.
Addressing concerns about fuel efficiency, the ministry acknowledged that ethanol has a lower energy density than petrol but stressed that the actual efficiency drop in real-world conditions is minimal. It also pointed out that vehicle mileage is influenced by various factors beyond just fuel type, such as driving habits, maintenance practices, tire pressure, and air conditioning load. For vehicles that have been E20-compatible since as far back as 2009, the question of any drop in fuel efficiency does not arise.
The ministry cited Brazil's successful experience with ethanol-blended fuel, where E27 has been used for years without issues, often in vehicles made by the same automakers that operate in India. It clarified that concerns suggesting a "drastic" reduction in fuel efficiency due to E20 are "misplaced". The ministry also addressed the claim that E20 causes engine damage, stating that vehicle owners do not find any issue related to drivability, metal compatibility, and plastic compatibility while using E20 petrol. While certain older vehicles may require earlier replacement of some rubber parts and gaskets, this is typically a one-time occurrence during routine servicing and at a low cost.
Regarding future plans for ethanol blending, the ministry clarified that the government is committed to using E20 petrol until October 31, 2026. Any move beyond this will follow an Inter-Ministerial Committee report, stakeholder consultations, and a formal government decision. This process involves vehicle manufacturers already in Brazil, as well as other manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, R&D agencies, oil companies, and ethanol producers.
