Parliament Question: Impact of E20 Fuel on Vehicles

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1478 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2026 IMPACT OF E20 FUEL ON VEHICLES

1478. ADV PRIYA SAROJ:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any independent study on the impact of E20 fuel on engine performance, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs of vehicles manufactured before the introduction of E20-compatible engines;

(b) the details of number of complaints received from consumers regarding mileage reduction, engine damage or component failure allegedly linked to E20 fuel, State-wise;

(c) whether any automobile manufacturers have reported technical concerns regarding the use of E20 in older vehicles and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has assessed the additional financial burden on vehicle owners due to modifications, repairs or reduced fuel efficiency arising from E20 adoption; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to issue any advisory, compensation mechanism or transition support for owners of non-E20-compatible vehicles? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

(a): 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). Extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, IOCL, IIP and automobile manufacturers covering engine durability, drivability, cold startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, fuel system reliability, emissions performance and fuel efficiency have confirmed that E20 is safe for use under prescribed standards. Automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, SIAM, ARAI, testing agencies and Oil Marketing Companies were associated with every stage of the scientific evaluation and phased rollout of E20. E20 was introduced only after successful validation of fuel systems, engine durability, drivability, material compatibility and emissions performance. These studies did not reveal any significant adverse impact on performance, durability or material compatibility in legacy vehicles under the prescribed operating conditions.

(b): No such data is compiled by MHI.

(c): No such technical concerns have been reported to MHI by automobile manufacturers.

(d): MHI has not done any such assessment.

(e): There is no such proposal under consideration of MHI. ***********