GUWAHATI: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said that petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) may reduce fuel economy by 3–5% in some vehicles, but maintained that the trade-off is outweighed by benefits such as cleaner combustion, improved engine performance and enhanced energy security.
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In a detailed question-and-answer document released on Friday,July 10, the ministry said E20 offers a higher octane rating, better anti-knock performance, smoother acceleration, faster combustion, cleaner engine operation and lower lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional petrol.
Responding to concerns over the nationwide rollout, the ministry said India's ethanol blending programme began with pilot projects in 2001, followed by 5% blending in 2006. The country achieved 10% ethanol blending in 2022 and reached 20% blending during the 2025–26 ethanol supply year after expanding ethanol production and infrastructure.
The ministry also stated that E20 underwent extensive testing for engine durability, corrosion resistance, emissions and fuel system compatibility. According to feedback from manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, no E20-related corrosion or abnormal component wear has been reported under real-world conditions.
It further clarified that offering multiple fuel grades such as pure petrol, E10 and E20 across the country would significantly increase logistics costs and complicate fuel distribution. The ministry added that the ethanol blending programme is aimed at reducing India's dependence on imported crude oil, improving price stability and strengthening the country's long-term energy security rather than lowering fuel prices.