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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 869
ANSWERED ON 23rd JULY, 2026
IMPACT OF ETHANOL-BLENDED PETROL ON VEHICLES
869. MS. MAHUA MOITRA:
SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:
SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of complaints regarding poor
vehicle performance, reduced fuel efficiency, technical defects,
engine, fuel system and other component-related damage and
maintenance problems allegedly associated with the use of ethanol-
blended petrol, particularly in older vehicles and two-wheelers and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted or commissioned any
scientific, technical or other assessment to examine the impact of
ethanol-blended petrol on different categories of vehicles, particularly
older vehicles and two-wheelers, if so, the findings of such studies
thereof;
(c) the number and nature of complaints received during the last three
years and the current year, State/UT-wise and year-wise;
(d) whether the Government has issued or proposes to issue any
safety standards, compatibility guidelines, advisories or directions to
vehicle manufacturers and Oil Marketing Companies regarding the
compatibility, quality and safe use of ethanol-blended petrol and if so,
the details thereof; and(e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to
address consumer grievances, safeguard vehicle owners from any
adverse effects, ensure the quality and suitability of ethanol-blended
petrol supplied across the country and promote the use of ethanol-
compatible vehicles while providing adequate safeguards for existing
vehicles?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) and (c) E19–E20 fuel has been in use for over two-and-a-half years.
As per information received from Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM), no widespread issues of engine failure or
vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending have been
reported. Certain concerns relating to engine performance, mileage
and vehicle wear have been arising largely through public commentary
and social media discourse.
(b) and (e) Yes, Government in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Gas has introduced the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme by
consultation with stakeholders, field trials and validation by expert
agencies at each stage of blending escalation:
i. Ethanol Blending Program is administered by the Government in
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. A Study for the
evaluation of effects of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI E10
(Gasoline) two-wheelers and four-wheelers was carried out
jointly by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Indian Institute
of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun, Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Research Association of
India (ARAI). The exhaust emissions meet the respective norms
(ie BS VI vehicles meet the BS VI emission norms when tested
with E20). The studies have not shown any need to modify the
car and two-wheeler engines. These studies confirmed that even
legacy vehicles did not exhibit any significant variations inperformance, nor do they show abnormal wear-and-tear when
operated with E20 fuel. No issues were reported in parameters
such as drivability, startability, metal compatibility, and plastic
compatibility. Only in case of testing done on BS-III vehicles
introduced from 1st April, 2005 and manufactured prior to 2016,
some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which
can be easily managed during routine servicing regime of the
vehicle. With regard to the concern of vehicle mileage due to the
use of E20 fuel, Government, automobile manufacturers and
vehicle/engine testing agencies have clarified that vehicle
mileage is influenced by a host of factors beyond just fuel type.
These include driving habits, maintenance practices such as oil
changes and air filter cleanliness, tyre pressure and alignment,
and even air conditioning load.
ii. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), constituted on 26
December 2020 under NITI Aayog, comprehensively examined
vehicle compatibility and mileage/efficiency aspects of ethanol
blending. This assessment was supported by research conducted
by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the Automotive Research
Association of India (ARAI) and the Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM).
iii. The Committee's "Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-
25", released in June 2021, was prepared after extensive
consultation with automobile manufacturers, oil companies and
agricultural experts, and examined material compatibility, engine
calibration, fuel systems, drivability, durability, emissions and
fuel efficiency. The Committee’s report preceded the introduction
of E-20 fuel.
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented
through a phased, calibrated, scientifically validated and consultative
approach.
It has been used globally for over a century, with countries such as
Brazil operating higher ethanol blends for decades. In India, the
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme commenced with a pilot in
2001, E5 was introduced in 2006, and although blending remainedaround 1.53% in 2013-14, it has since been increased progressively in
a calibrated manner after creating the necessary production capacity,
infrastructure and regulatory framework. Before the introduction of
E20, extensive laboratory studies, durability trials and field validation
were undertaken covering engine durability, material compatibility,
fuel systems, corrosion resistance, drivability, emissions, fuel
economy and overall vehicle performance.
As seen from the table, the progression has been gradual:
Ethanol Supply Year Average Blending (%)
2013-14 ~1.53
2020-21 ~8.1
2021-22 ~10
2022-23 ~12
2023-24 ~14.6
2024-25 ~19.2
2025-26 (Nov-June) 20
(d) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has
notified Safety Standard (AIS 171) for various blends of ethanol with
gasoline vide G.S.R 343 (E) dated 25th May 2021.
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