Auto firms assure all cars made since 2023 can run safely on E20 fuel

Automakers including M&M, Tata Motors and Hyundai confirm vehicles made since 2023 are safe on E20 fuel, countering fears as Gadkari calls social media criticism politically driven

A day after Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that a social media campaign against E20 fuel was “paid for” and “politically motivated” targeting him, vehicle manufacturers assured that all cars made since 2023 can safely run on E20 fuel.

 

In fact, some companies are issuing advisories to their customers in this regard.

 

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, chief executive officer of Mahindra & Mahindra’s automotive division, said they are drafting an advisory to all their customers and dealers saying that all M&M vehicles are safe to drive with E20 or E10 blended fuel. 

 

The company on Thursday issued an advisory saying that they will honour all warranty commitments to its customers on account of E20 fuel usage “Mahindra engines are fully compliant with existing gasoline standards and all our vehicles can be operated safely with E20 fuel. Vehicles produced post April 1, 2025 are specially calibrated for E20 fuel to ensure acceleration and fuel efficiency.

 

Earlier produced vehicles whilst being completely safe to drive could see a minor variation in either acceleration or fuel efficiency depending on driving behaviour," the company said.

 

On the question if M&M can calibrate vehicles bought before April 2025, Gollgunta said that they are not allowed to do so given the emission norms, according to which they cannot do a software update in vehicles for recalibration once the vehicle is out on the road.

 

Tata Motors spokesperson said all their vehicles are E20 compliant from 2023 and the company is honouring all warranty commitments on their vehicles.

 

Tarun Garg, chief operating officer (COO), Hyundai Motor India said, “I think the issue has been settled. The Supreme Court judgement on this matter has already come. You also saw the press conference by the industry (on August 30). We have nothing more to add.”

 

Speaking at the SIAM convention, Gadkari said that the Supreme Court had already given clarity on the use of blended fuel.

 

Asked if there will be any issue if one is driving a E10 calibrated vehicle on E20 fuel, the companies said that there may be a performance hit to some extent as it’s not calibrated like fuel efficiency degradation etc. 

E20 assurance 

• Mahindra & Mahindra: All vehicles safe on E20; models from April 2025 calibrated specifically for it.
• Tata Motors: Every vehicle made since 2023 is fully E20 compliant; warranty remains intact.
• Hyundai Motor India: Supreme Court has settled the issue, nothing more to add.