E20 raises concerns among riders
The Centre’s push for mandatory 20% ethanol-blended petrol, or E20, has sparked a political row, with opposition leaders citing a 2021 NITI Aayog report to question the nationwide rollout.
They argue that the Center shied away from the transition and safeguards suggested in the report before making E20 the standard fuel at petrol pumps across India in April 2025.The controversy escalated after a Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging the E20 policy. During the hearing, public prosecutor R Venkataramani referred to E20 as “an experience”Saying that its results will be known next year. While the Center later denied calling E20 itself an experiment, videos of the court proceedings went viral, sparking fresh criticism and renewed focus on the NITI Aayog roadmap.
What does the NITI Aayog report say?
The NITI Aayog report, released in 2021, laid out India’s roadmap for moving to a higher blend of ethanol in petrol. She said increasing ethanol blending would reduce crude oil imports, improve energy security, reduce emissions, and create a stable market for agricultural feedstocks. At the same time, it defined the conditions under which the switch to E20 should take place.The report recommended a phased rollout, with E10 remaining available across the country until 2025 as “Protection fuel” for existing vehicles, while the E20 was scheduled to be phased in from April 2023 before becoming widely available by 2025.
I also realized that older vehicles would not perform as well in E20. The report estimated that fuel efficiency could decline by 6-7% in four-wheelers designed for E0 and calibrated for E10, 3-4% in similarly designed two-wheelers, and 1-2% in newer four-wheelers designed for E20. She added that engine modifications and calibrations can reduce these losses.Regarding vehicle compatibility, the report said tests found no abnormal wear or damage to the engine’s metal components, but some rubber and plastic materials, including synthetic rubber, performed poorly with E20 and will need to be replaced with ethanol-compatible components in newer vehicles.The expert panel also proposed tax incentives to offset declines in fuel efficiency, and recommended pricing E20 lower than regular gasoline through a tax credit to encourage consumers to switch.The report also suggested that manufacturers introduce E20-compliant vehicles in phases, with materials-compliant vehicles from April 2023 and fully E20-compliant vehicles from April 2025.
Why do people feel anxious?
The biggest concern was mileage.Since E20 became available across the country, many vehicle owners have complained that their cars and two-wheelers are providing fewer kilometers per litre. Government-backed studies conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation and SIAM estimate that fuel efficiency may decrease by about 3-4%, while fuel consumption may increase by up to 6% in some vehicles. However, many consumers claim that the real-world effect is higher.Concerns about older vehicles are also due to the results of the 2021 ARAI study, which the government and car manufacturers have repeatedly cited to support the E20 rollout. While the study found no significant wear or damage to metal engine components, it did note that some rubber parts in fuel systems — such as hoses, gaskets, seals and O-rings — showed signs of faster deterioration with E20 and “It may need to be replaced” On E10 compliant vehicles.
The study also recorded mixed results in engine durability tests. One of the BS-IV four-wheelers completed the test without issues, while the BS-VI turbocharged engine developed an exhaust valve issue during the durability test. However, experts associated with the study said such failures can occur for multiple reasons and cannot be automatically attributed to E20 alone. Tests on engines from three two-wheeler manufacturers did not indicate any durability concerns.Overall, the study concluded that E20 did not adversely affect the engine’s metallic components or emissions performance. However, it has been estimated that fuel consumption can be 2-6% higher compared to E10, depending on the vehicle.
What happened in the Supreme Court?
The issue gained national attention after the Supreme Court heard petitions challenging the E20 rollout, with the petitioners raising concerns about its impact on consumers and demanding an independent evaluation of the policy.During the hearing, public prosecutor R Venkataramani referred to E20 as “an experience” The results of which will become clear next year. This remark quickly spread.The government later clarified that Venkataramani had used the term only in the context of ethanol supply quantities and not the E20 policy itself. The Attorney General also told Reuters that his comments were misunderstood.
Why are opposition parties protesting?
Opposition leaders claim that the Center rolled out E20 nationwide despite concerns over mileage and compatibility with older vehicles.
They cited the NITI Aayog report to claim that the government has not fully followed its roadmap, which recommended a gradual transition and safeguards for existing vehicles.The political attack coincided with increasing complaints from motorists, many of whom say they are spending more on fuel because of the reduced number of kilometers they travel.The controversy escalated after the Supreme Court hearing, where Congress leader Priyank Karg accused the Center of treating motorists as… “Guinea pigs”. With reference to the Attorney General “an experience” Karg said the government was making this statement “Trial on 3.6 crore Indians” while “Mileage goes down” and “Engines go bankrupt”.
The center demanded “E20 refund. First, prove it. Then, publish.”NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also questioned this policy alleging that “Pushing the ethanol mixing ratio beyond 20 percent in older vehicles will cause technical damage. It is not possible to use 100% ethanol before flex-fuel cars are widely introduced in India.” Flex-fuel vehicles will have to become more widespread before higher ethanol blends are considered, he said.
What did the government say?
The Center has strongly defended the E20 programme, saying ethanol blending has reduced India’s dependence on imported crude oil, saved foreign exchange and enhanced the country’s energy security. It also notes that India achieved a 20% ethanol blend five years ahead of its original 2030 target.Rejecting claims that India is an outlier, the government says the country is following the global trend of increasing ethanol blending.It referred to the United States, where E10 is the standard gasoline blend and is being introduced E15 is more widespread, with millions of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on blends up to E85.Brazil, considered a world leader in ethanol adoption, mandates E27 as a standard gasoline blend and is on track to increase it to about 35%. More than 80% of new cars sold there are flex-fuel models capable of running on E27, E30 or even pure hydro-ethanol.The government also cited Japan’s phased introduction of E10, along with ethanol blending programs in Canada, Thailand and several European countries, arguing that blending ethanol with gasoline is part of a broader global shift toward cleaner transportation fuels.The center maintains that E20 is supported by scientific studies and says any move beyond 20% ethanol blending will be preceded by further research and consultation with stakeholders. While the government sees the program as a long-term step towards energy security, the current debate has turned to whether its national rollout fully reflects the phased approach envisioned in the NITI Aayog 2021 roadmap.
