New Delhi, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Centre on Thursday informed Parliament that the nationwide rollout of E20 (20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol) has been carried out through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process, with extensive testing confirming that the fuel is safe for vehicles under prescribed standards.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme was implemented after detailed consultations with NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), oil marketing companies and other technical institutions.
The minister said laboratory studies and field trials conducted by these organisations assessed engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency before the rollout of higher ethanol blends.
According to the government, the studies established that E20 fuel does not cause any significant deterioration in the performance of legacy vehicles or lead to abnormal wear and tear. It added that large-scale operational experience has also not produced any verified evidence of widespread engine failures or vehicle breakdowns attributable to ethanol blending.
Suresh Gopi said nearly eight crore vehicles, including around 80 per cent petrol-powered vehicles, visit fuel retail outlets across the country every day. He noted that E15+ petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been available for over two-and-a-half years.
During this period, more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over three crore petrol cars have operated on these fuel blends without any verified evidence of widespread problems linked to ethanol use, he said.
The minister also informed the House that vehicle manufacturers continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel, indicating confidence in its safety. He cited data from a leading automobile manufacturer, which serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore vehicles not originally certified as E20-compatible, without reporting E20-related corrosion, abnormal wear or reduced component life.
Another major two-wheeler manufacturer and an automobile company that tracked 1.4 crore E20-operated vehicles over an extended period also reported no evidence of ethanol-induced corrosion, he added.
According to the minister, ARAI and SIAM have stated that E20 fuel can improve acceleration and ride quality while reducing carbon emissions. He added that ethanol’s higher octane rating supports modern high-compression engines, while its higher heat of vaporisation enhances combustion efficiency.
The government maintained that E20 fuel was introduced only after comprehensive scientific evaluation and validation by automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, testing agencies and oil marketing companies.
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