E20 petrol reduces mileage but no engine damage: Government

The Indian government has stated that E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol, can reduce mileage by 3-5% in older vehicles designed for E10 fuel.

However, extensive testing and real-world experience have shown that E20 petrol does not cause widespread engine damage or breakdowns.

The government has also mentioned that E20 petrol provides several benefits, such as higher octane, better anti-knock performance, better combustion characteristics, and smoother acceleration.

E20 petrol has been in use for more than 2.5 years, and over 20 crore two-wheelers and 3 crore petrol-run cars, including older vehicles, have been operating on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failures.

The government has also stated that manufacturer service data has revealed no higher incidences of damage in vehicles running on E20 fuel compared with earlier blends.

Extensive laboratory studies, durability trials, and field validation were carried out before E20 was introduced to the public, and studies conducted by various organizations have found that E20 does not result in abnormal wear or tear in cars and neither does it cause compatibility issues when used as per prescribed standards.

The government has also stated that there is no proposal to revert back to E0 or E10 petrol, as maintaining parallel nationwide supply chains for different types of petrol would increase logistics complexity, inventory, and handling costs.