E20 Fuel Sparks Protests in India: Cars Guzzle More, Engines at Risk
A government policy mandating the use of petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) has sparked a wave of complaints from vehicle owners across India. Drivers report that the new fuel has led to noticeably higher consumption and reduced engine performance.
As reported by Al-Jazeera, all fuel stations in India now sell E20 as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biofuel programme. However, the implementation has drawn controversy, with critics arguing the transition was too rapid for the millions of older vehicles not designed to handle such a high ethanol concentration.
Krishna Kumar, a motorist in New Delhi, said his sedan’s fuel efficiency dropped from 18-20 kilometres per litre to just 16-17 kilometres per litre after using E20. “The car’s acceleration has become slower, especially when overtaking, climbing hills, or with the air conditioning on,” he stated. Another driver, Anas Khan, who owns a 2021 Maruti Suzuki Baleno, reported a similar decline in mileage, falling from 18 to 15 kilometres per litre.
The Indian government has refuted claims that E20 damages engines. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas cited studies by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and national oil companies, which found no significant difference in engine performance or component wear. Officials claim that vehicles designed for E20 compatibility should only experience a 1-2% drop in fuel efficiency. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the policy, stating the ethanol blending programme will reduce India’s dependence on crude oil imports while boosting farmers’ incomes through demand for sugarcane and maize.
However, independent experts suggest the impact depends heavily on a vehicle’s age and design. Automotive expert Sajad Ahmad Wani noted that while E20 may not cause immediate damage, long-term use in incompatible vehicles can accelerate the deterioration of rubber hoses, gaskets, and other fuel system components due to ethanol’s corrosive properties compared to pure petrol. He also pointed out that many drivers remain unaware of whether their vehicles are compatible with the new fuel.