New Delhi, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said only some Bharat Stage (BS)-III vehicles manufactured before 2016 may require minor replacements of rubber parts and gaskets for compatibility with E20 petrol, while no engine modifications are needed for cars or two-wheelers.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari said extensive studies conducted by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found that E20 fuel does not require engine modifications in either older or newer vehicles.
According to the minister, the studies showed no significant impact on vehicle performance or abnormal wear and tear after prolonged use of petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol. He said no issues were reported regarding drivability, startability, metal compatibility or plastic compatibility.
Gadkari, however, noted that tests on BS-III vehicles introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016 indicated that some rubber components and gaskets may need replacement. He said these changes could be easily carried out during routine vehicle servicing.
Responding to concerns over fuel efficiency, the minister said mileage depends on several factors and cannot be attributed solely to the use of E20 fuel. He added that an Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted by NITI Aayog had comprehensively examined vehicle compatibility, mileage and efficiency before recommending the phased rollout of E20 petrol.
Gadkari said the committee’s findings, published in the Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25 in June 2021, were based on consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and agricultural experts.
He added that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a phased and scientifically validated approach, noting that several countries, including Brazil, have successfully used higher ethanol blends for decades.
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