The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday issued a fresh clarification defending the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, stating that the transition to E20 fuel has been gradual, scientifically tested and supported by automobile manufacturers.
The ministry released a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) amid continued concerns over vehicle compatibility, fuel prices and availability of E20 petrol, calling several claims circulating on social media “misinformation”.
The government said India’s ethanol blending programme was not introduced suddenly and has been developed over more than two decades. The initiative began with pilot projects in 2001, followed by policy measures in 2013, the National Policy on Biofuels in 2018, and expansion of ethanol production capacity from 2021 onwards.
According to the ministry, ethanol blending increased gradually from around 8.1% in the 2020-21 ethanol supply year to 20% during November-June of the 2025-26 supply year after consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and testing agencies.
Addressing concerns about older vehicles, the ministry said extensive laboratory testing and field validation were conducted before the rollout of E20 fuel. It added that there was no evidence of widespread engine damage, corrosion or abnormal wear due to E20.
The ministry cited data from Maruti Suzuki, stating that the company serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore older non-E20-certified vehicles, without reporting major E20-related issues. Similar field experiences were also reported by Hero MotoCorp, according to the ministry.
On concerns regarding fuel economy, the government acknowledged that some vehicles may see a 3-5% reduction in mileage with E20, but highlighted benefits such as higher octane levels, improved combustion, lower emissions and reduced dependence on imported crude oil.
The ministry also clarified why E20 petrol is not cheaper than conventional petrol, saying ethanol currently costs around ₹71.86 per litre before taxes and handling charges, making production costs higher when crude oil prices are around USD 70 per barrel.
The government said the objective of ethanol blending is not immediate reduction in fuel prices but reducing crude oil imports, improving energy security and protecting consumers from global price fluctuations.
According to the ministry, the ethanol blending programme has helped India save over ₹1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange, replace nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, reduce around 952 lakh metric tonnes of carbon emissions, and transfer more than ₹1.66 lakh crore to farmers.
The ministry urged consumers to avoid relying on unverified information and rumours on social media, reiterating that E20 fuel has been validated by automobile manufacturers, testing agencies, oil companies and regulatory authorities.
