'E20 petrol may cut mileage by up to 5%, but no damage to engines': Govt tells Parliament
The Indian government has clarified that E20 petrol, while potentially reducing fuel efficiency by 3-5% in older vehicles, does not cause widespread engine damage. Officials cited extensive field data and manufacturer records to reassure the public regarding the safety of ethanol-blended fuel.
Why it matters
This addresses consumer concerns regarding vehicle longevity and performance as India pushes for higher ethanol blending to reduce oil import dependency.
NEW DELHI: E20 petrol may reduce fuel efficiency by around 3 to 5 per cent in some older vehicles originally designed for E10 fuel, but there is no evidence that the higher ethanol blend causes widespread engine damage or vehicle breakdowns, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Suresh Gopi said fuel economy is influenced by several factors, including driving style, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure, wheel alignment and the use of air conditioning. The government said the drop in mileage for some older vehicles is generally limited to around 3 to 5 per cent.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in