Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 2 to 6% depending on the vehicle category and vintage, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday (July 30, 2026). File
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 2 to 6%, the government informed the Parliament on Thursday (July 30, 2026), citing a study commissioned by the Centre.
The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6% depending on the vehicle category and vintage, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha.
It added that “tests for engine durability on dynamometer and vehicle tests on road have not shown any failures due to E20.”
The study for evaluation of the effect of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10 (Gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out jointly by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
This study also found that E20 fuel provides better acceleration, improved ride quality and approximately 30% lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel. “Higher ethanol blends also enable cleaner and more complete combustion,” Minister Gadkari’s reply stated.
The Minister had earlier informed Parliament that BS-III vehicles introduced from 1st April, 2005 and manufactured prior to 2016, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which can be easily managed during routine servicing regime of the vehicle.
The replies were given in response to questions raised by Lok Sabha MP Adv. Chandra Sekhar. However, the Minister did not answer queries on why the study has not been placed in the public domain or whether the government plans to issue an advisory on the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles that may require component replacements.
Published – July 30, 2026 05:28 pm IST
