Have Not Assessed Number Of E20-Compatible Vehicles, Govt Informs Parliament

India’s ethanol-blended petrol rollout has brought focus on vehicle compatibility with E20 fuel, which contains 20 per cent ethanol. The government has informed Parliament that no assessment has been conducted on the percentage of petrol vehicles in the country that are fully compatible with E20 fuel.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on July 27, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) had not carried out any assessment on the number of E20-compatible vehicles.

“Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) have informed that no such assessment has been done by them.”

However, the government said that the rollout of E20 fuel was based on scientific validation and consultations with various stakeholders. The government said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme was implemented through a phased and scientifically validated process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), ARAI, SIAM, IIP and other technical institutions.

It added that laboratory studies and field trials were conducted to assess factors such as engine durability, corrosion resistance, emissions and fuel efficiency, confirming that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards.

The government added that E20 was introduced after validation of fuel systems, engine durability and emissions performance. It stated that studies had also established that legacy vehicles did not show any significant variation in performance or abnormal wear and tear due to E20 fuel.

The reply stated that E15+ blended petrol has been in use for over three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been in use for more than two-and-a-half years. The government said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown linked to ethanol blending.

On mileage concerns, the government said fuel efficiency is influenced by factors such as driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle maintenance. It added, “Any reduction in fuel economy in certain E10-designed vehicles is generally limited to about 3-5 per cent.”

The government further said E20 fuel provides a higher octane rating, improved anti-knock characteristics and cleaner combustion compared with lower ethanol blends. It also stated that E20 offers better acceleration, improved ride quality and around 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared with E10 fuel.

According to government data, a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore vehicles that were not originally certified as E20-compatible. The OEM reported no E20-linked corrosion, abnormal wear or reduction in component life.