New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has defended the Centre’s E20 ethanol blended petrol programme, stating that vehicle owners cannot accurately determine their car’s fuel efficiency on their own and should rely on tests conducted by authorised dealers.
Speaking during a television interview, Gadkari responded to concerns raised by a journalist who claimed her car’s mileage had dropped significantly after switching to E20 petrol. She said her 2023 model vehicle, which is designed to support E20 fuel, had seen its fuel efficiency decline from around 11 kilometres per litre to 7 kilometres per litre. When asked how she measured the mileage, she explained that she had relied on the vehicle’s dashboard display.
In response, Gadkari said that such readings should not be treated as conclusive. He maintained that accurate mileage testing requires specialised equipment available only with company authorised service centres and dealers.
The E20 fuel policy, which came into effect nationwide on April 1, requires petrol to contain 20 percent ethanol. The initiative is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting the domestic biofuel industry through greater use of ethanol produced primarily from sugarcane and other agricultural feedstocks.
Since its rollout, however, several vehicle owners have reported a decline in fuel efficiency, while parts of the automobile industry have also raised concerns about the performance of ethanol blended fuel, particularly in older vehicles.
The Centre has acknowledged that E20 petrol may reduce fuel economy by around 3 to 5 percent in some vehicles. However, it has emphasised that overall mileage is influenced by multiple factors, including driving habits, tyre pressure, vehicle maintenance, traffic conditions, and air conditioner usage. According to the government, fuel type is only one of several factors that determine a vehicle’s real world fuel efficiency, and a slight reduction in mileage should be viewed alongside the environmental and energy security benefits of ethanol blending.
