E20 petrol not sole reason for lower mileage, Centre says

The Central government has sought to put the debate over E20 petrol and vehicle mileage in perspective, saying fuel consumption cannot be judged on the ethanol blend alone.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Saturday that the mileage a vehicle delivers in everyday driving is shaped by a combination of factors, ranging from traffic and driving style to tyre pressure, maintenance and air-conditioner use.

"Mileage depends on more than fuel alone. Driving habits, traffic, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure and AC usage all play a role," the ministry said in a post on X.


It added that E20 petrol has been subjected to extensive testing and validation, while actual mileage can vary depending on the condition of the vehicle and the circumstances in which it is driven.

Mileage debate grows around ethanol blending

The clarification comes as motorists continue to question whether petrol containing 20% ethanol is affecting mileage and vehicle performance.

The government has previously acknowledged that E20 can result in a 3-5% decline in fuel economy in some vehicles. However, it has maintained that the mileage observed on the road cannot be attributed to the fuel blend alone.

The issue has gained prominence as India has expanded ethanol blending in petrol as part of its effort to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and increase the use of domestically produced ethanol.

For motorists, the practical impact can vary considerably depending on the vehicle, its age and condition, driving patterns and the environment in which it is used.

Oil companies reject contamination concerns

The government has also pushed back against claims that E20 petrol is being widely affected by contamination.

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum said tests carried out across the country did not support allegations of excessive chloride contamination or moisture in E20 petrol.

According to the state-run oil marketing companies, more than 100 petrol samples collected from refineries showed chloride levels at or below one part per million. Ethanol samples from 80 distilleries and more than 80 E20 samples collected from depots and terminals also recorded chloride levels below the prescribed limit of three ppm.

The companies said the testing was part of broader checks to assess the quality of fuel being supplied through the retail network.

90,000 fuel stations inspected

The oil marketing companies said inspections were also carried out at underground storage tanks across around 90,000 fuel stations.

They reported finding no evidence of water entering the tanks during those inspections, countering concerns that moisture contamination could be contributing to vehicle problems attributed to E20 petrol.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has similarly said that oil companies conducted extensive testing at retail outlets and that only a small number of contamination cases were detected.

The government's latest statement therefore seeks to separate two issues that have increasingly become intertwined in public discussion: the effect of ethanol blending on fuel economy and allegations of poor fuel quality.

While E20 may affect mileage in some vehicles, the government maintains that real-world fuel consumption is ultimately determined by the interaction of the fuel, vehicle and driving conditions.