Ethanol blend increase raises concerns for older vehicle owners in Pune

The Union government's move to introduce higher ethanol-petrol blends, including fuels with up to 100 per cent ethanol, has sparked worries among vehicle owners in Pune, particularly those with older non-E20-compliant vehicles and even some newer models.

Since E20 fuel (20 per cent ethanol blend) became standard in the city, many owners report reduced mileage, starting trouble, and increased maintenance costs. They fear further rises in ethanol content could worsen these issues.

Pratik Yelwande, a resident of Nighoje, said his motorcycle developed problems after E20 fuel became widely available around January 2025. 'I used to ride my old bike without any issues. But around January 2025, when the E20 fuel blend became standard in the city, I started experiencing mileage issues. During heavy rain, the bike would often struggle while running,' he said.

Yelwande bought a new E20-compliant two-wheeler in February for Rs 1.70 lakh, but now worries about even higher blends. 'If the government plans to move to E25 or E30 fuel in the near future, how will my vehicle continue to perform efficiently? Additional maintenance costs will become a burden. The government should consider the challenges faced by existing vehicle owners before deciding on further transitions. Like Brazil, consumers should have the option of choosing fuel with a lower ethanol blend at petrol pumps,' he said.

Sudhanwa Joglekar, from Kothrud, reported similar issues with his non-E20-compliant scooter. 'Since December 2024, I've been facing issues with my scooter's mileage. During rain, the engine abruptly stalled, and I had to park the vehicle midway. The cost of running the bike has increased because it now requires more frequent maintenance visits,' he said.

Mechanics across Pune note a rise in fuel-related complaints. Milind Patil, a senior mechanic from Chinchwad, said he has observed a white-coloured residue inside carburettors after E20 adoption, disrupting fuel flow. He recommends dismantling and cleaning carburettors, and says for older vehicles, retrofit components could help bridge the compatibility gap.

Jayanta Dengwekar, a mechanic in Nigdi with over 30 years of experience, said many customers report a 4 to 5 per cent drop in mileage and starting issues, especially in older two-wheelers. 'Carbon deposits build up on inlet valves of vehicles manufactured before the BS-VI era. I often recommend fuel additives to help clear deposits and improve fuel flow in vehicles not designed for E20 fuel,' he said.

Vitthal Bhingare from Ravet said his bike has struggled to start in the morning for the past 1.5 years, even in hot weather. Rohit Chothe, an IT professional in Shahu Nagar, reported a mileage drop in his non-E20-compliant car since E20 became standard. He expressed concern about the impact of future higher ethanol blends on his vehicle.

The government's ethanol blending programme aims to reduce oil imports and promote cleaner fuel, but vehicle owners seek gradual transitions and fuel choice options to manage costs.