The Central Government has reaffirmed that E20 petrol is now the standard fuel across India. E20 contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. India achieved its 20% ethanol blending target last year.
According to the government, it is not feasible to offer E10, E20, and pure gasoline all at once. India has more than one lakh fuel stations. Supplying three fuel types would increase costs and create major logistics problems.
Officials admitted that some older vehicles may see a 3% to 5% drop in fuel efficiency. However, they said E20 offers better engine performance. It provides higher octane, smoother acceleration, cleaner combustion, and lower emissions.
The Petroleum Ministry also rejected claims that E20 damages engines. It said extensive testing was completed before the nationwide rollout. Major vehicle makers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, have reported no widespread E20-related engine or component failures.
The government added that nearly ₹1 lakh crore has been invested in ethanol production and related infrastructure. It believes moving back to lower ethanol blends would waste these investments. Reports also suggest that the planned shift to E25 petrol may be delayed.