Parliament Question: Consumer Complaints on E20 Petrol

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3049 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06th August, 2026 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON E20 PETROL 3049. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE: पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम और (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ी Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of complaints received by the Government, Oil Marketing Companies or Public Sector retail outlets regarding mileage loss, fuel system issues, engine damage, component replacement or warranty denial allegedly linked to E20 petrol, State- wise, vehicle category-wise and year-wise; (b) whether any mechanism exists for testing fuel samples in such complaints, if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the number of complaints found valid, rejected or pending; and (d) whether any compensation, repair liability or consumer grievance mechanism has been prescribed for vehicles not originally certified for E20 use, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम और (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ालय म(cid:581) रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी ((cid:302)ी सुरेश गोपी) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a) to (d): The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions. Since ESY 2014–15, the programme has generated foreign exchange savings of over ₹1.97 lakh crore, substituted nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, avoided approximately 952 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions and generated more than ₹1.66 lakh crore in additional income for Indian farmers. Government has not received any widespread or substantiated complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer organisations regarding engine failure, fuel pump issues, corrosion, water contamination or other performance issues attributable to E20 fuel. Government has, however, taken note of certain concerns raised in media and social media, which have been scientifically examined. Extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, IOCL, IIP and automobile manufacturers covering parameters such as engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency have confirmed that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards. These studies also established that legacy vehicles do not exhibit any significant variation in performance or abnormal wear and tear due to E20. These extensive laboratory studies, field validation and real-world operating experience have not established any widespread adverse impact on vehicle performance due to E20 fuel.E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use across the country for over three-and-a-half years and E19–E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years. More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or abnormal wear attributable to E20 fuel. Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel. Manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20 fuel, providing further confidence in its safety and reliability. Accordingly, year-wise and State-wise details of such complaints are Nil. Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit (EBMS) supplied and sold through Retail Outlets (ROs) is ensured to conform to the applicable BIS specifications. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have issued detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to dealerships covering the receipt, inspection, sampling, decantation and sale of EBMS at retail outlets. Further, to prevent any quality issues arising from water contamination, especially during the monsoon season, OMC officials conduct periodic water-ingress audits of Motor Spirit (MS) tanks at retail outlets. Dealers are also required to monitor water levels in MS tanks at regular intervals. In addition, Automated Tank Gauging (ATG) systems installed at retail outlets continuously monitor water levels in MS tanks. In the event water is detected beyond the prescribed limits, the automation system triggers an interlock mechanism, resulting in the automatic suspension of sales from the affected tank until corrective action is taken. These measures ensure that only quality-compliant fuel is dispensed to consumers. However, in case of any specific complaint regarding quality of fuel delivered from the retail outlet, sampling/ testing of the product samples drawn from the retail outlet is done and further necessary action on the established cases where samples are not meeting the norms is taken, as per the Marketing Discipline Guidelines. Moreover, Public Sector OMCs have established robust consumer grievance redressal mechanisms to receive investigate and resolve customer complaints and suggestions, including those relating to E20 fuel. Customers can register their grievances through multiple offline and online channels such as complaint/suggestion registers available at all retail outlets, dedicated toll-free customer care numbers, company websites and mobile applications, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, social media platforms, e-mail, and the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). The contact details of dealers and concerned field officers are prominently displayed at retail outlets to facilitate prompt grievance redressal. All complaints received through these channels are duly investigated and resolved within the stipulated timeframe in accordance with the established procedures of the OMCs. Public awareness initiatives are also undertaken to educate consumers about the technical compatibility of E20 fuel with all petrol vehicles without any performance issue and the environmental and energy security benefits of ethanol blending. Consumer feedback received through the grievance redressal mechanisms is regularly monitored by the OMCs, and appropriate corrective measures are taken wherever required to ensure consumer confidence while advancing the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. *****