Page 2 - Ethanol Blending

India's E20 ethanol fuel rollout sparks driver backlash; carmakers worry

India, the world's third largest car market, set a 2025 target years ago for 20% ethanol blending in fuel, called E20, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on clean energy

E20 rollout linked to wear and tear in 28% of older petrol vehicles: Survey

Over one-third of vehicle owners also report reduced mileage since E20 petrol introduction; many urge govt to consider optional, lower-priced sale

'Fuel efficiency may decline by 2-5% due to 20% ethanol-blended petrol'

The usage of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency, depending on the type of cars, according to automotive industry experts. In the midst of social media debate over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, automotive engineers working with some of the major automakers, whom PTI spoke to, said that in older vehicles, which are not E20 compliant, there could be erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately. "There can be a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle. This is purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol," said an expert requesting anonymity. Earlier this month, the Oil Ministry clarified that "the critiques suggest that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced". However, it did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency. "The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been margin

Is ethanol-blended petrol damaging your car? | Mileage | Petroleum Ministry | Fuel

Ever wondered what you're really filling up at the petrol pump? It’s not 100% petrol, it’s E20, a blend with 20% ethanol. Many vehicle owners say it's affecting mileage and engine performance.

Explainer | E5, E10, E20: What do these ethanol labels actually mean?

India achieved the 20 per cent ethanol blending target (E20) around five years ahead of schedule, initially set for 2030

How Brazil, US, and EU tackled ethanol blends before India's E20 push

India's move to widespread E20 ethanol-blended petrol follows the footsteps of Brazil, the US, and Europe - offering key lessons in consumer acceptance, industry policy, and vehicle readiness

E20 petrol won't affect fuel efficiency, may boost performance, says govt

Refuting claims that E20 petrol affects fuel efficiency, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighted E20 petrol's environmental benefits, improved engine performance

Two-thirds of petrol vehicle owners oppose government's E20 fuel mandate

Survey highlights mileage drop and cost concerns among older vehicle owners; industry urges phased transition to higher ethanol blends

Cleaner fuel, lower mileage: Will ethanol blend hurt your car engines?

Ethanol can promote corrosion of metal components, and strip deposits from fuel systems, potentially clogging filters and lines. So higher the blend, higher the chances of old engines getting affected

India achieves 20% ethanol blending target 5 yrs ahead of schedule: Isma

India has achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol five years ahead of schedule, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said on Friday. The achievement represents dramatic growth from the modest 1.5 per cent blending rate when the program began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, ISMA said in a statement. The ethanol blending program has delivered substantial economic and environmental benefits, according to ISMA data. Ethanol production surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661 crore litres blended as of June 2025, while generating 698 lakh tonnes in carbon dioxide emission reductions. The program has provided significant financial benefits to India's agricultural sector, with farmers receiving Rs 1.18 lakh crore and distilleries earning Rs 1.96 lakh crore over the period. The initiative has also helped India save Rs 1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange costs. "This achievement is a monumental leap for ...

Maha permits ethanol production from maize and rice for petrol blending

The Maharashtra government has allowed the use of food grains such as maize and rice to produce ethanol through the dual feed method, to be used for blending with petrol. The ethanol thus produced shall not be used for liquor production, said an order issued by the state home department. The central and state governments earlier allowed the use of sugarcane juice and molasses for ethanol production. With the latest decision, distilleries can now operate even during the season when sugarcane is not available. Welcoming the move, B B Thombre, chairman of the West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA), said, "We had requested the government to allow ethanol production from food grains during the (sugarcane) off-season." Thombre, who also heads Natural Sugars and Allied Industries, a private sugar mill, said the decision will help stabilise maize prices and generate year-round demand. "Farmers will benefit significantly, especially with maize fetching Rs 2,800 per quintal," he said,

Grainspan invests ₹520 cr in ethanol units, benefits from govt's subsidy

Encouraged by the Union Food Ministry's interest subsidy scheme, Grainspan Nutrients has invested Rs 520 crore to set up two grain-based ethanol plants in Ahmedabad and is supplying green fuel for blending with petrol. The two plants, which use maize and rice as feedstock, have a total installed capacity of 350 kilolitres per day. Grainspan's first grain-based ethanol plant, located at Bhamsara Village in Ahmedabad district, became operational in May 2023 with a capacity of 110 kilolitres per day. This plant was Gujarat's first grain-based ethanol facility. Enthused by the success, the company last month commissioned its second facility, which has been built at a cost of Rs 360 crore with an installed capacity of 240 kilolitres per day at the same location. The company supplies ethanol to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). "There are three grain-based ethanol plants in Gujarat, of which two facilities are being operated by us. We were the fi

Ethanol blending may face headwinds from distillers and automakers

The final cog is the consumer, who incurs higher operating costs on ethanol blending because of the low burning value of ethanol

Volume, realisations likely to drive gains for sugar companies' stocks

The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) expects pan-India sugar production to reduce 19 per cent to 26 million tonne

Will achieve 20% ethanol blending by April, aiming to go beyond that: Puri

India is looking at increasing its target to blend ethanol with petrol to more than 20 per cent and has formed a committee under the NITI Aayog for this, Petroleum Minister Hardeep S Puri said on Wednesday. Addressing the Advantage Assam 2.0 business summit in Guwahati, he said 19.6 per cent blending has already been achieved. "We will be looking at more than 20 per cent blending of biofuel. Already a NITI Aayog group has been set up and they are looking into it," he said. "We had set a target of 20 per cent blending by 2026, but already achieved 19.6 per cent. I am sure we will touch 20 per cent next month," he added. Puri said that the country has a capacity of 1,700 crore litre of blending, and already 1,500 crore litre are being utilised. With India spending USD 150 billion on different types of fuel imports, he said that one area where the attention is lacking is green hydrogen. "The green hydrogen price is presently USD 4.5. If you can bring it closer to USD 2.5, there will

IEW 2025 : India on track to meet 2030 energy goals, says PM Modi

India will reach 20 per cent ethanol blending by October, Modi said

Centre charting 5-year road map to boost ethanol blending in petrol

Panel to submit report on taking blending beyond 20%

Turning leftovers into mileage: How potatoes could soon power your vehicle

The Central Potato Research Institute is expected to start a plant to convert potato waste into ethanol by targeting peels and the starch from potato washing water as key components for conversion

Ethanol blending has saved Rs 99,000 crore forex since 2014, says Puri

17.3 mn metric tonnes of crude oil substituted, 51.9 mn tonnes of CO2 emissions averted, the minister said

Sugarcane set to reclaim dominance as ethanol feedstock next year: Industry

Industry experts anticipate a shift back to sugarcane-based molasses as the primary feedstock for ethanol production next year, driven by expected surplus sugar supplies and calls to lift restrictions