Centre govt 'No evidence of engine damage over E20 petrol use'

The Central government on Wednesday said that E20 petrol may lead to a marginal reduction in fuel efficiency in some older vehicles originally designed for E10 fuel, but that there is no verified evidence of widespread engine damage or vehicle breakdowns linked to ethanol-blended petrol.

In a written reply to questions in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said that any reduction in mileage in older E10-designed vehicles is generally limited to around 3-5 per cent.

He added that fuel efficiency depends on several



factors, including driving habits, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure, wheel alignment and air-conditioning load, and not solely on the ethanol content in the fuel.

“Any reduction in fuel economy in certain older E10-designed vehicles is generally marginal (around 3-5 per cent),” the minister stated.

“While some older vehicles may experience a slight drop in mileage, E20 petrol offers several advantages, including higher octane rating, improved anti-knock performance, better combustion characteristics and smoother acceleration,” the minister stated.