The Centre has admitted that vehicles using E20 petrol could see their fuel efficiency drop by 3% to 5% compared with regular petrol. However, it says the cleaner fuel offers long-term benefits by reducing pollution and cutting India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, ethanol contains less energy than petrol, which explains the slight reduction in mileage. While motorists may need a little more fuel to cover the same distance, the government believes the impact will be limited for most users.
E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, is a key part of India’s strategy to promote cleaner transport. Officials say it produces lower emissions, helping improve air quality and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
The government also highlighted the economic benefits of ethanol blending. Higher ethanol production creates demand for crops such as sugarcane and maize, providing additional income opportunities for farmers while reducing India’s fuel import bill.
Motorists will continue to have the option of using lower ethanol blends depending on their vehicle’s compatibility. The Centre has advised owners of older vehicles to follow manufacturers’ recommendations before switching to E20 fuel.
Despite concerns over mileage, the government says the environmental and economic gains outweigh the small loss in fuel efficiency. It plans to continue expanding ethanol blending as part of India’s clean energy transition while ensuring consumers have suitable fuel choices.
Also Read: Gold at ₹1,44,330, silver at ₹2,40,100 today