Government Reaffirms E20 Petrol Safety and Performance
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has provided a comprehensive defense of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme based on scientific validation and operational experience. The programme was implemented through a phased, scientifically validated process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.
Extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, IOCL, IIP and automobile manufacturers covering parameters such as engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency have confirmed that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards. These studies established that legacy vehicles do not exhibit any significant variation in performance or abnormal wear and tear due to E20.
Operational Experience and Vehicle Performance
The government's assessment is based on large-scale operational experience with E15+ blended petrol in widespread use for over three-and-a-half years and E19-E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years. More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending. A leading OEM serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, including approximately 1.5 crore vehicles not originally certified as E20-compatible, and reported no E20-linked corrosion, abnormal wear or reduction in component life.
Fuel Efficiency and Technical Benefits
Regarding mileage, studies indicate that any reduction in fuel economy in certain E10-designed vehicles is generally limited to about 3-5%, while E20 offers a higher-octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, cleaner combustion and smoother engine performance. According to SIAM and ARAI, E20 improves acceleration and ride quality while reducing carbon emissions. Ethanol's higher-octane number supports modern high-compression engines and its higher heat of vaporisation improves combustion efficiency.
National Benefits and Economic Impact
The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has delivered significant national benefits, saving over ₹1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substituting nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, reducing around 952 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions and transferring over ₹1.66 lakh crore to farmers.
Quality Control and Consumer Protection
OMCs follow stringent Standard Operating Procedures covering procurement, blending, storage, transportation and retail dispensing. Fuel quality is tested at the distillery, depot and retail outlet. Based on complaints received, OMCs have carried out over 30,000 quality checks in the last 10-20 days at retail outlets to detect adulteration. State Governments have been requested to adopt zero tolerance against fuel adulteration.
Public Sector OMCs have established robust consumer grievance redressal mechanisms through multiple channels including complaint registers at retail outlets, toll-free customer care numbers, company websites, mobile applications, CRM systems, social media platforms, email, and CPGRAMS. All complaints are investigated and resolved within stipulated timeframes, with public awareness initiatives educating consumers about E20 compatibility and benefits.