E20 petrol shift leaves Bengaluru motorists worried over mileage, repairs

The nationwide transition to E20 petrol, a fuel blend containing 20% ethanol and 80% fossil fuel , has triggered widespread anxiety among vehicle owners and mechanical repair workshops across Bengaluru.

While the Union government’s clean-energy mandate aims to reduce oil import bills and curb carbon emissions, its immediate impact on the ground has left daily commuters grappling with unexpected mechanical breakdowns, low fuel efficiency, and escalating repair bills. For thousands of motorists navigating the city’s dense traffic daily, the shift has been anything but smooth. Owners of two-wheelers and older passenger cars have reported a sharp decline in vehicle performance.

The primary grievances remain a noticeable drop in overall mileage alongside chronic engine sputtering. “Ever since local fuel stations transitioned fully to the new blend, my scooter’s mileage has dropped by nearly five kilometres per litre,” said K. Vinay, a delivery executive based in J.P. Nagar.