Researchers at IIT Kanpur and automotive industry experts state that concerns regarding the nationwide rollout of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) are largely exaggerated. While some motorists report mileage loss and engine issues, studies from the institute found no evidence of significant fuel efficiency drops or mechanical damage caused by the fuel blend in either new or older vehicles.
Evidence from IIT Kanpur and Automakers
Leading manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, and Hero MotoCorp, support these findings. Maruti Suzuki reported that it has serviced over 15 million older, non-E20-certified vehicles over the past two years without finding fuel-related issues, while Toyota and Hero MotoCorp stated their tests revealed no major metal or plastic corrosion.
Addressing Public Concerns and Manual Discrepancies
Public apprehension has been fueled by claims of a contradiction between older vehicle manuals and current government mandates. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal recently pointed to language in older user manuals that predates the E20 rollout. However, Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, dismissed this as a misunderstanding of how liability works. “The manuals were written before E20 fuel,” Sorabjee said. “Obviously, they are not going to rewrite the manuals.” He explained that vehicles often have a design buffer, meaning a car built for E10 can generally handle E20 without immediate harm.
Maintenance and Fuel Contamination Factors
Industry experts suggest that reported breakdowns are likely tied to existing fuel contamination issues rather than the ethanol blend itself. Sorabjee noted that while ethanol acts as a detergent and can dislodge impurities in poorly maintained engines, the problem of contaminated fuel has existed for generations. He credited oil marketing companies for improving quality management, noting that the issue is less prevalent now than when the industry transitioned from carburettors to fuel injection. The hygroscopic nature of ethanol—which can attract moisture—can lead to phase separation, but Sorabjee clarified that this typically only occurs in vehicles left idle over a month.
