Centre tells Parliament that no proof of engine damage, mileage decline in vehicles due to E20

The Centre on Wednesday told Parliament that concerns over engine damage or reduced fuel efficiency due to the use of E20 petrol have not been substantiated by any scientific study.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the phased rollout of E20 petrol was preceded by extensive scientific studies, field trials and consultations with expert bodies to assess its impact on vehicles.

Gadkari said a joint study by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) evaluated the impact of E20 fuel on two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

According to the minister, the studies found no need to modify engines in cars or two-wheelers. Even legacy vehicles, he said,



did not show any significant decline in performance or abnormal wear and tear when operated on E20 fuel.

The minister said no issues were reported in parameters such as drivability, startability, metal compatibility or plastic compatibility.

However, he noted that testing on BS-III vehicles introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016 indicated that some rubber components and gaskets may require replacement. He said these can be easily addressed during routine vehicle servicing.

Responding to concerns over fuel efficiency, Gadkari said automobile manufacturers and vehicle testing agencies have clarified that vehicle mileage is influenced by several factors beyond fuel type alone.

He added that the findings were backed by scientific assessments and consultations conducted before the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol.