New Delhi: The Union government on Thursday said it has not taken any decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent level, adding that any move towards higher blends would be considered only after detailed scientific and technical assessments and consultations with stakeholders.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said any future decision on increasing ethanol blending would involve consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
He clarified that E85 fuel, comprising 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol, has been introduced exclusively for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) that are specifically designed and certified to run on the fuel. Its introduction does not represent an increase in the nationwide base ethanol blending level in petrol.
Gopi said ethanol has been used as a fuel globally for more than a century, with countries such as Brazil using higher ethanol blends for decades.
In India, the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been rolled out through a phased and consultative process backed by scientific validation. The process has involved NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.
According to the Minister, scientific studies, field trials and extensive real-world experience have established that E20 is a safe, cleaner and technologically advanced fuel when used in accordance with prescribed specifications and vehicle manufacturers' recommendations.
He said the government's assessment is based not only on laboratory research but also on the experience gained following the nationwide implementation of ethanol-blended petrol.
"E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years and E19-E20 fuel for more than 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 vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending," Gopi said.
He added that manufacturer service data had not shown abnormal corrosion, wear or a reduction in vehicle life linked to E20 fuel. Manufacturers have also continued to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20, which, he said, provides further assurance about the fuel's safety and reliability.
Citing industry data, Gopi said one of India's largest passenger vehicle manufacturers serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, including nearly 1.5 crore older vehicles that were not E20-certified, without reporting any E20-related engine damage or abnormal component wear.
Similarly, one of the country's leading two-wheeler manufacturers has reported, based on extensive service records, no higher incidence of damage among vehicles operating on E20 compared with those using earlier fuel blends.
Extensive laboratory testing and field validation carried out by the Inter-Ministerial Committee under NITI Aayog, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), ARAI, IIP and SIAM also found no evidence of abnormal wear and tear or compatibility problems caused by E20 fuel, the Minister said.
On concerns over mileage, Gopi said studies conducted by government agencies and automobile manufacturers showed that fuel efficiency depends on several factors, including driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle maintenance.
For certain vehicles designed for E10 fuel, any reduction in fuel economy is generally limited to around 3-5 per cent, while E20 provides a higher octane rating, better anti-knock properties, cleaner combustion and smoother engine performance.
According to SIAM and ARAI, E20 can improve acceleration and ride quality while helping to reduce carbon emissions. The higher octane number of ethanol is also suited to modern high-compression engines, while its higher heat of vaporisation can contribute to improved combustion efficiency.
The Minister also highlighted the broader economic and environmental benefits of the EBP Programme.
He said the programme had helped India save more than Rs 1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange, replace nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil imports, reduce approximately 952 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions and transfer more than Rs 1.66 lakh crore to farmers.
With IANS inputs