Industry experts have stated that E20 ethanol-blended petrol is a clean, high-performance fuel that was introduced only after extensive scientific evaluation and rigorous testing, including on older vehicles. They added that the rollout has been a carefully planned, step-by-step process designed to ensure vehicle safety and consumer confidence.
At a press conference in New Delhi jointly organised by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Heavy Industries, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, senior representatives from leading energy and automobile companies reiterated that the E20 programme is backed by global standards and robust testing protocols. Experts also reassured vehicle owners that there is no cause for concern regarding its usage.
Representatives included officials from Engineers India Limited, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Company, Hyundai Motor India, and Bajaj Auto Limited, among others.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Vikram Gulati said the auto sector operates under strict global regulations, with vehicles undergoing independent certification before and after launch. He described ethanol as a proven clean fuel used for decades, including in motorsports, and said the shift to E20 followed thorough testing on older vehicles. He also clarified that E85 fuel is intended only for flex-fuel vehicles.
Maruti Suzuki’s Rahul Bharti issued a strong assurance to customers, stating that E10-compliant vehicles have been fully tested with E20 fuel across parameters with no issues observed. He noted that out of 2.84 crore vehicles serviced in FY 2025–26, more than 1.5 crore older vehicles showed no reports of corrosion, wear, or component damage linked to E20.
He further explained that the slight reduction in mileage—about 3 to 3.5 per cent due to lower calorific value—is minimal and often offset by improved engine performance, better acceleration, reduced knocking, and lower emissions. He added that driving habits and maintenance have a far greater impact on mileage. He also clarified that no retrofit kits are currently available commercially and remain in the R&D stage.
Engineers India Limited’s Vartika Shukla said the ethanol blending programme is based on scientific consensus, stakeholder consultation, and global best practices. She confirmed that E20 meets BIS standards and BS-VI emission norms and is widely available across fuel stations in India.
Hero MotoCorp’s Ashutosh Varma added that analysis of large-scale service data shows no increase in vehicle damage associated with E20 usage compared to earlier fuels.
The session concluded with industry leaders expressing unified confidence in the E20 initiative and reaffirming their commitment to transparency and consumer awareness.
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