Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has strongly defended the government’s E20 fuel programme, saying motorists should not automatically blame ethanol-blended petrol whenever a vehicle develops a mechanical problem.
Responding to growing concerns over the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, Gadkari said automobiles, like any other machine, can develop faults over time. He stressed that no technology is completely free from defects and urged vehicle owners to have their cars inspected by authorised service centres instead of assuming ethanol is the cause of every issue.
His remarks come amid an ongoing public debate over E20 fuel, with some vehicle owners claiming reduced mileage and performance after the switch to petrol blended with 20% ethanol. The minister maintained that the government’s transition to alternative biofuels has always been transparent and that the roadmap was communicated well in advance to automakers and consumers.
The Centre argues that ethanol blending is a key step towards reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, cutting carbon emissions and supporting domestic farmers through higher demand for ethanol feedstock. Officials also say newer Bharat Stage-VI vehicles are designed to meet E20 standards, while fuel infrastructure across the country has been upgraded to support the transition.
At the same time, the government has acknowledged that ethanol contains slightly less energy than conventional petrol, which may lead to a small drop in fuel efficiency under certain driving conditions. However, it insists that the impact is limited and does not indicate engine damage when vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel.
The issue has sparked wider discussions among consumers, automobile manufacturers and policymakers, with questions being raised over compatibility of older vehicles and the availability of fuel choices.
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