The Centre has acknowledged that vehicles running on E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, may experience a 3% to 5% reduction in fuel efficiency compared with conventional petrol. However, the government says the cleaner fuel offers significant long-term environmental and energy security benefits.
The clarification comes amid growing public interest in the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel. Responding to concerns, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the lower mileage is due to ethanol’s lower energy content compared with petrol. While vehicles may travel a slightly shorter distance on a litre of E20, the difference is expected to be modest for most users.
Despite the reduction in mileage, the government maintains that E20 petrol burns more cleanly, helping reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality. Increased use of ethanol is also expected to lower India’s dependence on imported crude oil, saving foreign exchange and strengthening the country’s energy security.
Officials said ethanol blending supports domestic farmers by creating a larger market for crops such as sugarcane and maize, which are used in ethanol production. The programme is also expected to encourage investment in biofuel production and generate employment in rural areas.
The Centre has clarified that motorists will continue to have a choice of fuel. Besides E20, lower ethanol blends will remain available depending on vehicle compatibility and regional supply. Vehicle manufacturers have also introduced E20-compatible models, while owners of older vehicles have been advised to follow manufacturer recommendations before regularly using the higher ethanol blend.
The government has reiterated that expanding ethanol blending is a key part of India’s clean energy strategy. The country has been steadily increasing the share of ethanol in petrol over the past few years, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable transport sector.
While some consumers remain concerned about the slight drop in mileage, experts note that the trade-off is relatively small when compared with the broader benefits of lower emissions, reduced oil imports and greater use of domestically produced renewable fuel.
As E20 petrol becomes more widely available across the country, the government says it will continue to monitor its performance and work with automakers, fuel retailers and consumers to ensure a smooth transition to cleaner mobility.
