The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has clarified that E20 petrol is safe for older vehicles and dismissed claims that it damages engines or shortens vehicle life. The clarification comes amid growing concerns and rumours surrounding the nationwide rollout of ethanol-blended fuel.
In a detailed FAQ, the ministry said social media reports claiming that E20 causes engine failures, corrosion of rubber parts or fuel system damage are not backed by scientific evidence or real-world data.
According to the ministry, E20 petrol has undergone years of testing in collaboration with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), automobile manufacturers, oil companies and other technical institutions before its nationwide introduction.
The government also clarified that vehicles labelled as E10-compatible were certified under the fuel standards applicable at the time of manufacture and are not automatically unsafe for using E20 fuel.
Citing industry data, the ministry said Maruti Suzuki serviced nearly 2.84 crore vehicles during 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore older vehicles, without reporting any E20-related engine damage, corrosion or abnormal component wear. Similar observations have also been reported by Hero MotoCorp.
While acknowledging that some vehicles may experience a 3–5% reduction in fuel efficiency, the ministry said E20 provides higher octane, smoother engine performance, lower emissions and reduces India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
The government also ruled out continuing the sale of pure petrol or E10 alongside E20, stating that maintaining multiple fuel grades across the country would be logistically difficult and economically unviable.
The ministry urged people not to believe rumours or unverified claims, reiterating that E20 petrol has been scientifically tested, approved by automobile manufacturers and supported by regulatory authorities.(Agencies)
