Petrol-ethanol

E20 petrol may bring down vehicle mileage by up to 6%: Nitin Gadkari

Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday. The Union Minister, however, argued that tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and on-road vehicle tests have not shown any failures due to E20. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said E20 fuel provides better acceleration, improved ride quality and approximately 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel. Gadkari said a study to evaluate the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10 (Gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out jointly by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL). He said the study comprised of standard testing as per the respective certification requirements & customized test protocols developed along with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). "The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be ...

No decision taken yet to raise ethanol blending beyond current 20%: MoS

The government has not yet decided to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent level, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday, adding that any future increase would follow further scientific study and consultation with industry. "So far, no decision has been taken by the government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20 per cent," Gopi said in a written reply to a question. Any move higher would come "only after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies and research institutions," he said. Gopi said India reached the 20 per cent blending target five years ahead of schedule, with average blending rising from about 1.53 per cent in 2013-14 to 20 per cent in the 2025-26 supply year, after more than two decades of phased rollout. Since 2014-15, he said, the programme has saved over 1.97 ...

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

Don't want E20 fuel? Buy 100% petrol, but pay more: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the Centre's ethanol-blending programme, saying motorists who prefer 100 per cent petrol can buy it, but will have to pay more than for ethanol-blended fuel

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.

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 calls E20 petrol safety concerns misleading, factually incorrect

The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) on Wednesday said recent claims about E20 petrol damaging vehicles, attracting insects, invalidating insurance, or involving the direct mixing of sugarcane juice with fuel were 'misleading and factually incorrect'. The industry body urged that public discourse on ethanol-blended petrol be guided by scientific evidence, verified data and official clarifications. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said India's Ethanol Blending Programme is scientifically validated, rigorously tested, and continuously monitored, in consultation with oil marketing companies, automakers, fuel testing agencies, and other stakeholders. The government said no incidents of engine failure or vehicle breakdown had been linked to E20 petrol since its rollout. The ministry said fuel-grade ethanol is produced through industrial processes such as fermentation and distillation and does not resemble its original agricultural feedstock. It is

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

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

43% of buyers may defer vehicle purchases over E20, E30 concerns: Survey

Survey of over 28,000 prospective buyers finds fuel-policy uncertainty influencing purchase decisions, with EVs and hybrids emerging as preferred alternatives to petrol vehicles

Half of older petrol vehicle owners want E0, E10 fuel back: Survey

As India deepens ethanol blending, a new survey suggests many owners of older petrol vehicles are grappling with higher running costs and want lower-ethanol alternatives

Gadkari blames petroleum "lobby" for fuelling concerns over E20 rollout

Since the rollout of the E20 blend, concerns have been raised that it may reduce vehicle mileage, affect engine life, and increase costs

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

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

Union minister launches Toyota Innova MPV, world's first ethanol-fueled car

Nitin Gadkari unveiled the Innova MPV, which is the world's first car that runs completely on ethanol fuel. This is a government initiative to avoid dependency on petroleum imports

Sugar mills lay down plan for 50% ethanol blending with petrol by 2030

The plan envisages a cumulative investment of Rs 50,000 crore in ramping up distillation capacity

India's target of 20% ethanol blending advanced from 2030 to 2025-26

Puri said that the Centre has set a target to increase the share of gas in the energy mix up to 15% in 2030 to make India a Gas based economy

Govt gives in-principle approval to nine ethanol blending projects

These projects are expected to add to the additional capacity of about 35 crore litres