E20 Fuel: Mileage Dip ‘Marginal’, Vehicle Damage Claims ‘False Narrative’ – Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has clarified that while the shift to higher ethanol blends may cause a marginal reduction in mileage, the widely circulated claims of vehicle damage are baseless and part of a deliberate misinformation campaign.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Gadkari explained that the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol naturally leads to a slight drop in fuel efficiency as ethanol content increases. However, he emphasised that in most driving conditions, especially in congested urban areas, the impact is negligible.
“Mileage depends on driving conditions. In cities like Delhi or Mumbai, vehicles operate in lower gears due to stop-and-go traffic. Your speed barely goes above 40-50 km/h before you hit a red light. If you drive continuously at 100 km/h, you may see some difference, but it’s marginal,” the minister said.
On the issue of alleged engine damage from E20 fuel (20% ethanol, 80% petrol), Gadkari dismissed the claims as “overblown” and part of a “concerted false narrative”. He stated that the government introduced E20 nationwide last year only after thorough testing by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and vehicle manufacturers confirmed its safety.
“Show me a single car that has suffered damage because of E20 fuel. What is being circulated on social media is false. I have asked companies to check such instances, and in every case, it was found that adulterated fuel was the real cause,” he said.
For older vehicles that may have minor parts affected, the minister assured that manufacturers have been instructed to replace components like metal washers with rubber ones at no cost during servicing. “No cars have broken down. We are taking proactive steps to ensure compatibility,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the benefits of flex-fuel engine technology, which is designed to run efficiently on higher ethanol blends. Nearly a dozen companies, including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, Toyota Kirloskar, and Maruti Suzuki, are bringing flex-fuel models to India. Brazil has successfully used a 27% ethanol blend since the 1970s without issues.
“The goal is to give the public a choice — multiple blends at different pricing, given that ethanol costs around Rs 75 per litre. A flex-fuel hybrid vehicle also improves efficiency by saving energy in a battery through the electric component,” Gadkari said.
He further noted that the West Asian crisis underscores the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports. The government is also exploring alternatives like methanol. In Karnataka, Ashok Leyland collaborated with the state corporation to run 25 buses on a 15% methanol-diesel blend, leading to the development of a dedicated methanol engine.
The minister reiterated his long-standing advocacy for ethanol as an alternative fuel since 2004, citing its superior anti-knocking properties and higher octane number, which improve engine performance.
