GUWAHATI: As India expands the use of E20 petrol across the country, concerns over its impact on vehicle engines have sparked widespread debate. However, fuel dealers and automobile experts say there is no credible evidence to support claims that the ethanol-blended fuel causes engine damage.
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The discussion gained momentum after viral social media posts alleged that E20 petrol was harming vehicle engines, particularly older models. Rejecting these claims, industry representatives said fuel stations have not reported a surge in customer complaints related to engine failures after the rollout of E20.
The Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association stated that, despite the growing public concern, there has been no pattern of engine-related issues linked to the fuel. Automobile experts also pointed out that millions of vehicles have been operating on ethanol-blended petrol for years, with no confirmed evidence of widespread engine damage caused by ethanol.
Experts did acknowledge one noticeable difference: E20 petrol may slightly reduce fuel efficiency because ethanol contains less energy than regular petrol. However, they stressed that a drop in mileage is a normal characteristic of ethanol-blended fuel and should not be mistaken for engine damage.
According to industry officials, India's ethanol blending programme was introduced only after extensive scientific research, regulatory clearances, and rigorous testing by automobile manufacturers and research organisations. They said all vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are designed to run on E20 petrol, while older vehicles are also considered safe to use the fuel under existing guidelines.
Industry representatives also referred to findings by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which noted that prolonged use of E20 in some older vehicles originally designed for E10 petrol could accelerate wear in certain rubber fuel system components and may affect the performance of some turbocharged engines over time.
However, they argued that these findings do not indicate that E20 petrol causes widespread engine failures. They maintained that available service records and field experience continue to support the safe use of E20, urging motorists to rely on verified information rather than misleading claims circulating online.