Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi informed Parliament on Thursday, 30 July that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been rolled out through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process, with extensive testing confirming that E20 fuel is safe for use across legacy and modern vehicles. The minister made the statement in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Stakeholders Behind the Rollout

The EBP Programme was developed in coordination with NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies (OMCs), 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, the higher ethanol blends were introduced only after exhaustive consultation across this ecosystem — covering fuel systems, engine durability, drivability, material compatibility, and emissions performance.

What the Studies Found

Laboratory studies and field trials conducted by ARAI, SIAM, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), IIP, and automobile manufacturers covered parameters including engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions, and fuel efficiency. These studies confirmed that E20 is safe under prescribed standards.

Notably, the studies also established that legacy vehicles — those not originally certified as E20-compatible — do not exhibit any significant variation in performance or abnormal wear and tear when running on E20 blends. The government stated that real-world operating experience has not established any widespread adverse impact on vehicle performance attributable to ethanol blending.

Scale of Real-World Evidence

The government's assessment draws on both laboratory research and large-scale nationwide implementation data. India sees approximately 8 crore vehicles visiting retail fuel outlets every day, with around 80 per cent being petrol vehicles. E15+ blended petrol has been in widespread use for over three-and-a-half years, and E19-E20 fuel for over two-and-a-half years.

More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on these blends, with no verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending, the minister stated. Manufacturer service data confirm no abnormal corrosion, wear, or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel, and manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using these blends.

OEM Data and Warranty Confidence

A leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, including approximately 1.5 crore vehicles not originally certified as E20-compatible, and reported no E20-linked corrosion, abnormal wear, or reduction in component life. A leading two-wheeler company reported similar field experience, with data from 1.4 crore E20-operated vehicles tracked over an extended period showing no evidence of ethanol-induced corrosion.

'These studies did not reveal any significant adverse impact on performance, durability or material compatibility in legacy vehicles under the prescribed operating conditions. Had automobile manufacturers not been fully satisfied with the results, they would neither have validated E20 fuel for older vehicles nor honoured warranty obligations,' Suresh Gopi said in his written reply.

Performance and Emission Benefits

According to SIAM and ARAI, E20 improves acceleration and ride quality while reducing carbon emissions. Ethanol's higher-octane number supports modern high-compression engines, and its higher heat of vaporisation improves combustion efficiency, the minister added. This positions the EBP Programme not only as an energy security measure but also as a contribution to India's broader emissions reduction goals.

With the scientific and commercial validation now firmly on record, attention will turn to how the government expands ethanol blending targets and whether the EBP Programme's next phase will push toward E25 and beyond.