Ethanol Blending Programme

Beyond petrol blending: How ethanol is being used across the world

India's ethanol story has largely revolved around E20 petrol, but from aviation and industry to clean cooking, the biofuel is finding new applications that could shape its next phase

E20 fuel damage case: Raipur consumer court orders Maruti to replace car

The Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that consumers could not be expected to avoid using E20 petrol when it had become the commonly available fuel at petrol pumps.

Govt explains E20 pricing, but transparency and tax relief remain unclear

The government explains E20 petrol pricing citing higher ethanol procurement cost, but motorists still lack a transparent price build-up, a cost-per-km comparison and a retail tax concession

6 in 10 new petrol car owners report over 10% drop in mileage: Survey

The reported decline is well above the government's estimated 3-5% impact of E20 petrol, prompting calls for an investigation into possible fuel adulteration or contamination

Nagpur Police file FIR over posts targeting Gadkari amid ethanol row

Nagpur Police have registered an FIR against several social media account holders for allegedly spreading false and defamatory content targeting Gadkari over E20 fuel

IIT Kanpur research finds no evidence of E20 damaging vehicle engines

Amid concerns over the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20), researchers at IIT Kanpur on Tuesday claimed that their studies found no significant drop in fuel efficiency and "no evidence" that E20 harms engines in either existing or older vehicles. The reported findings follow Oil Ministry's clarification last week stating that E20 can reduce mileage by up to 5 per cent in some vehicles, but the impact is outweighed by several benefits, including a lower lifecycle carbon emissions. Dhruv Raj Karana, Project Scientist of the Engine Research Laboratory in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur's Department of Mechanical Engineering, claimed that the fuel efficiency decrease is less than 5 per cent with the E20 fuel, according to the research conducted at the institute. He told PTI that the up to 5 per cent decrease could be due to factors other than fuel and that a similar result can be obtained "even if back to back tests are repeated with pure ...

Kejriwal seeks meeting with PM over E20 fuel; demands pure petrol option

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss concerns over E20 petrol, requesting that options for pure and E20 petrol be made available at fuel stations, with lower prices for ethanol-blended petrol. In a letter to the PM, Kejriwal said he wanted to explain the technical issues and the feedback he received from people related to the matter during his proposed meeting. Kejriwal said customers should have the choice to buy either pure petrol or E20 petrol at fuel stations. "If someone wants pure petrol, they should get that option and those wanting E20 should also have that choice," he said. Kejriwal said he had written to the prime minister after interacting with people and understanding their concerns regarding E20 petrol. The AAP chief also sought a reduction in E20 petrol prices, saying the blended fuel provides lower mileage compared to regular petrol. Kejriwal said the party has started an online petition for citizen

E20 petrol impact: What Gadkari said about mileage and engine safety

E20 petrol has sparked questions over mileage and engine performance. Here's what Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had to say about the concerns

Best of BS Opinion: Does the world need an international anti-ecocide law?

Today's opinions examine environmental destruction in war, the strategic race for frontier AI and the lessons India can draw from Brazil's ethanol transition.

E20 may cut mileage by up to 5% but offers cleaner combustion: Oil Ministry

Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 3-5 per cent in some vehicles, the Oil Ministry said on Friday, but argued the impact is outweighed by benefits, including a higher octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, faster combustion, better pickup, smoother acceleration, cleaner engine operation, and lower lifecycle carbon emissions. In a detailed question-and-answer document issued to counter criticism of the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said E20 was a "cleaner, higher-quality and more efficient fuel" than E10 or pure petrol and had been rolled out only after years of scientific testing, consultations with automobile manufacturers and the expansion of domestic ethanol production. The ministry rejected concerns that the programme had been implemented too quickly, saying India's ethanol blending initiative dates back to pilot projects launched in 2001, with 5 per cent blending introduced in parts

Why E20 isn't cheaper despite containing more ethanol? Govt explains

If one-fifth of every litre of petrol is now ethanol, why hasn't E20 become cheaper? Here's the government's answer

Isma rejects misinformation around E20, urges 'evidence-based' discussion

Isma's appeal comes days after the government released a fact sheet rebutting social media 'misinformation' about India's E20 ethanol blending programme

Best of BS Opinion: India's ethanol blending plans need better design

Today's opinions examine India's ethanol-blending policy, urban employment trends, MGNREGA reforms, energy security after the Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and Project Cheetah

Does E20 fuel cut mileage by 30%? Government responds to key concerns

The government has responded to claims surrounding E20 petrol, addressing concerns over mileage loss, engine damage, insurance, fuel prices and water use

Brazil's ethanol success story shows biofuel transition takes time

Brazil's ethanol programme evolved from an oil crisis response into the world's most successful biofuel model. Here's how it progressed from Pró-Álcool to E30

66% of pre-2023 petrol vehicle owners report over 10% mileage drop: Survey

Compared with May 2026, the share of respondents reporting a mileage decline of more than 10 per cent increased by 21 percentage points within a month, representing a 47 per cent jump

E20 rollout an 'experiment', results will be known next year, govt tells SC

Attorney General R Venkataramani said the government was evaluating the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel and would have the results of the exercise by next year

Best of BS Opinion: E85 policy push needs a coherent transport roadmap

From India's biofuel push and FIFA's commercial priorities to pressure on the rupee, shifts in the global arms market and Malayalam cinema's evolution, here are today's key opinion pieces

Govt to launch E85 fuel with 85% ethanol, challenge oil dependence

The new fuel enters the market amid lingering concerns over the impact of ethanol blends on mileage and engine durability

Maruti Suzuki showcases Wagon R flex fuel as India expands E85 plans

The Wagon R flex fuel can run on ethanol blends up to E85 and is technically compatible with fuel blends ranging from E20 to E100