India’s nationwide shift to petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) has stirred debate among motorists, but the country’s top automakers insist the new fuel is safe for use, even in older vehicles. While drivers may see a dip of 2% to 4% in mileage, industry leaders say concerns of severe engine damage are unfounded.
A Bold Push for Clean Energy
The move is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clean energy agenda, which set a 2025 target for E20 adoption. Ethanol, derived from sugarcane and other crops, is seen as a greener alternative that can cut emissions, reduce India’s reliance on imported crude, and support farmers by boosting demand for biofuels.
India, the world’s third-largest car market, began a phased rollout of E20 fuel in 2023. But in recent weeks, drivers have found older blends like E5 and E10 disappearing from pumps across the country’s 90,000 filling stations, leaving E20 as the only choice.
Mileage Concerns Spark Public Backlash
Motorists have taken to social media to complain about sudden drops in fuel efficiency and uncertainty over whether their vehicles can handle the new blend. Some even claimed their mileage had halved.
Industry experts, however, say those fears are exaggerated. P.K. Banerjee, executive director of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), stressed that lab tests show only a modest 2% to 4% reduction in efficiency. Millions of vehicles have been plying on E20 for quite some time now. Not a single vehicle breakdown or engine failure has been reported,” he said at a press briefing in New Delhi on Saturday.
Banerjee also assured drivers that warranty and insurance claims would remain valid if issues arise.
Real-World Conditions Still a Factor
While controlled studies provide reassuring data, automakers admit that day-to-day driving could produce varied results. “On road, it could be very different because of the way in which vehicles are maintained and driven,” said C.V. Raman, executive committee member at Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker.
This gap between lab tests and road experience is fueling skepticism, particularly among owners of older cars and two-wheelers, who worry about long-term durability.
Industry Unites to Ease Fears
The Saturday event in Delhi brought together more than a dozen executives from major carmakers, fuel retailers, and trade bodies. SIAM, which represents top brands including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, and Toyota, sought to present a united front.
Banerjee pushed back against “misinformed claims” circulating online and emphasized that automakers were committed to supporting customers through the transition.
No Turning Back
Despite the backlash, a rollback appears unlikely. With nearly all stations now dispensing only E20, the government is signaling that the ethanol transition is here to stay.
Automakers, meanwhile, are walking a fine line, balancing consumer concerns with the government’s ambitious climate targets. Already grappling with slowing sales and supply-chain shortages, they now face a new challenge: winning back public trust.
On Monday, the Supreme Court is set to hear a public interest litigation challenging the removal of older fuel options, a case that could determine whether motorists regain choice at the pump.
For now, India’s clean fuel revolution is moving full throttle, even if not every driver is ready for the ride.
