New Delhi: The government has clarified that it has taken no decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 percent level, saying any future move will be based on detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with stakeholders. In written replies submitted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said, "So far, no decision has been taken by the Government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20 percent."
Follow Energy Watch on X
He added, "Any future decision regarding higher ethanol blends will be taken only after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies and research institutions."
The clarification comes amid concerns over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicle performance and speculation about higher ethanol blending targets and the country's first street protest against the fuel.
The minister clarified that while E85 fuel, comprising 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol, has been introduced, it is meant exclusively for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) designed and certified to operate on the fuel.
"E85 fuel (containing 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol) has been introduced exclusively for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) designed and certified for such fuel (E85) and does not constitute an increase in the nationwide base ethanol blending level of petrol," Gopi said.
India achieved 20 percent ethanol blending in the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, five years ahead of the original target. Average blending rose from around 12 percent in 2022-23 to 14.6 percent in 2023-24, 19.2 percent in 2024-25 and reached 20 percent during November-June of the 2025-26 supply year.
The government also defended the safety and performance of E20 petrol, saying its rollout followed years of scientific evaluation and consultations with stakeholders, including NITI Aayog, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and automobile manufacturers.
According to Gopi, "The scientific studies, field validation and extensive real-world operating experience have shown that E20 is a safe, cleaner and technologically superior fuel when used in accordance with the prescribed specifications and manufacturer recommendations."
He added that the government's assessment was based on both laboratory research and large-scale nationwide experience after implementation.
The minister said the government has not received widespread or substantiated complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer organisations regarding engine damage, reduced mileage, rusting or higher maintenance costs due to E20 fuel.
"The Government has not received any widespread or substantiated complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer organisations regarding drastic reduction in mileage, slow pick-up and rusting of petrol tanks, attributable to E20 fuel," Gopi said.
He acknowledged that concerns raised on media and social media had been examined scientifically.
According to the written replies, E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been used for over two-and-a-half years. More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have operated on these blends without verified evidence of widespread engine failure linked to ethanol blending.
The government also cited service data from major automobile manufacturers, including one passenger vehicle maker that serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY26 — including around 1.5 crore older, non-E20-certified vehicles — without reporting E20-related engine damage or abnormal component wear.
Addressing concerns over fuel efficiency, Gopi said any reduction in mileage for vehicles originally designed for E10 fuel is generally limited to about 3-5 percent and depends on several factors.
"Studies by Government agencies and automobile manufacturers indicate that fuel efficiency is influenced by several factors, including driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle maintenance. Any reduction in fuel economy in certain E10-designed vehicles is generally limited to about 3-5 percent," he said.
The minister added that E20 offers a higher octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, cleaner combustion and smoother engine performance.
The government said the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has generated significant economic and environmental benefits. According to the written replies, the programme has saved more than Rs 1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substituted nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, reduced around 952 lakh metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and transferred more than Rs 1.66 lakh crore to farmers.
The government also ruled out reverting to lower ethanol blends.
"Having been scientifically validated and accepted by the automobile industry after extensive testing, there is no proposal to revert to E0/E10 petrol. The objective of public policy is to move forward with a superior fuel, not return to an inferior standard," Gopi said.
Follow Energy Watch on LinkedIN
He added that maintaining parallel nationwide supply chains for E0, E10 and E20 petrol across more than one lakh retail outlets would significantly increase logistics complexity, inventory and handling costs.
