The Indian government has confirmed that E20 petrol, a blend containing 20% ethanol, may reduce fuel efficiency by 3-5% in older vehicles designed for lower ethanol blends, while maintaining that extensive testing has found no evidence of widespread engine damage.
Officials stated that the marginal reduction in mileage is a known characteristic of higher-ethanol blends in legacy engines, but emphasized that real-world data and laboratory tests do not support claims of mechanical harm.
The clarification comes as authorities seek to manage consumer sentiment regarding the national push toward higher ethanol blending.
This development follows recent academic research from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, which similarly concluded that E20 does not cause significant engine damage or substantial fuel efficiency losses.
The government’s statement aligns with these findings, reinforcing the technical safety of the fuel blend.
The Indian Petroleum Ministry had previously issued a formal rebuttal to social media rumors alleging that E20 petrol causes engine damage and fuel quality issues, characterizing such reports as misleading.