The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Thursday, 30 July categorically refuted circulating claims that vehicles manufactured before 2023 cannot safely run on E20 petrol, and that automobile manufacturers have privately opposed the blended fuel. The ministry released a detailed factsheet dismissing both assertions as false and misleading.

What the Government's Data Shows

E15-plus blended petrol has been in widespread use for over three and a half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been in circulation for more than two and a half years, according to the factsheet. During this entire period, no verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending has emerged. The ministry noted that systemic engine damage would have triggered large-scale warranty claims, service campaigns, and consumer complaints — none of which have been reported.

The government's assessment draws directly on manufacturer service records. A leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) — identified in the factsheet as Maruti Suzuki — 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.

Automakers Publicly Back E20 Programme

Rejecting the claim that automobile manufacturers have privately indicated E20 is undesirable, the factsheet points to a joint press conference held on 4 July by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Senior executives from Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, Hyundai Motor India, TVS Motor Company, and Bajaj Auto collectively and publicly reaffirmed their confidence in the E20 programme.

Toyota Kirloskar stated that E20 was introduced only after rigorous testing on older vehicles, describing ethanol as a 'clean, high-performance fuel used globally for decades.' Maruti Suzuki issued what it called a 'statement of confidence' to consumers. Hero MotoCorp, one of the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturers, said its analysis of extensive service data found no higher incidence of damage in vehicles operating on E20 compared to earlier fuels. The panel concluded by reiterating its collective commitment to the programme.

The '30 Crore Vehicles Will Fail' Claim Dismissed

The factsheet directly addresses the viral claim that nearly 30 crore vehicles will become unusable under E20. It counters this by noting that more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have already been operating on E15-plus and E19-E20 fuels without any verified evidence of widespread failure. 'If E20 really rendered vehicles unusable, India would have witnessed millions of breakdowns, warranty claims and service campaigns,' the factsheet stated. 'Nothing of that sort has occurred.'

On Mileage and Engine Performance

Refuting exaggerated claims of fuel efficiency collapse, the ministry's factsheet states that fuel economy depends on multiple variables including driving habits, traffic conditions, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure, and air-conditioner usage. For certain older vehicles originally designed for E10, any reduction in fuel economy is 'generally limited to about 3-5 per cent' — not the dramatic figures being circulated online.

The factsheet also highlights that E20 delivers a higher octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, cleaner combustion, smoother engine performance, and better acceleration. Notably, ethanol is not a novel fuel — it has been used globally for over a century, with countries such as Brazil operating on higher ethanol blends for decades. The government's programme is expected to continue its phased rollout as India moves toward its broader ethanol blending targets.