E20 fuel increases mileage, helps farmers, and will not harm vehicles, says Gadkari
Indian Union Minister Nitin Gadkari claims that E20 ethanol-blended petrol has improved vehicle mileage without causing mechanical damage. He advocates for flex-fuel engines to reduce oil imports and increase farmer income.
Why it matters
The shift toward ethanol-blended fuel is a central pillar of India's strategy to reduce air pollution and achieve energy self-reliance.
The mileage of motor vehicles has increased because of E20 ethanol -blended petrol , and the fuel has caused no harm to the vehicles, Union Minister for Road Transportation and Highways Nitin Gadkari said in Bhopal on Friday (September 25, 2026), citing a recent report.
Speaking during the launch of a new government bus service in Madhya Pradesh , Mr. Gadkari said, “Since 2022, ethanol-blended petrol has been used as fuel in India. Currently, this fuel is being used in four crore four-wheelers and 20 million two-wheelers across the country. I am confident that no vehicle has faced any problems. In fact, we have received a report that says that average [vehicle mileage] has also increased because of it [ethanol-blended petrol].”
Mr. Gadkari, however, did not specify the report he cited.
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