Experts stress it meets E20 requirements, thoroughly tested amid raging concerns
Former Chairman and Managing Director of Engineers India Limited (EIL) Vartika Shukla speaks during a press conference of industry experts on Ethanol at the National Media Center in New Delhi on Saturday. | Photo credit: ANI
Amid raging concerns about the impact of gasoline fuel blended with one-fifth ethanol on vehicles, automakers and experts sought assurances at a press conference Saturday that there was no impact and that the blending paradigm followed thorough testing measures.
Addressed by a panel of experts and automakers, the press conference sought to dispel lingering concerns about the mixed-fuel variant.
In fact, on the same day – in response to a viral clip on social media that indicated damage to Toyota’s top-of-the-line vehicle due to a fuel mixture, the automaker attributed it to fuel contamination and was unrelated to E20 compatibility.
Per service protocol, the fuel tank and fuel lines were drained, thoroughly cleaned, and the vehicle was topped up with standard E20 fuel. “The vehicle was inspected and found to be normal before being delivered to the customer,” the company said.
The video amassed millions of views – among other things – it also highlighted several similar related complaints, which also attracted the attention of governments and car manufacturers who are trying to address the same and certify the authenticity and scientific basis of E20.
Speaking to reporters, Rahul Bharti, Senior Director (Corporate Affairs) of Maruti Suzuki was at pains to emphasize that there have been no cases of engine wear or corrosion due to the use of E20 fuel, even in non-compliant vehicles.
“We have adequate safety factors – in terms of wear, corrosion or damage to the life of parts that come into contact with E20 fuels for cars sold in India before 2023,” Mr Bharti said, adding: “As a manufacturer, we have tested E10 cars that were on E20 before 2023 for all parameters and found nothing of concern.”
For context, a gasoline blend containing 20% ethanol was formally launched in February 2023. In December 2025, an ethanol blend of 19.99% was achieved.
While top executives have pointed out that the blending paradigm is supported by multiple tests, including those conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the report – giving the sample size and type – is not yet public.
In response to a query from The Hindu on the same matter, the executives said that access to the report may require separate login and registration. Despite scanning according to the prescribed procedure, the message could not be found.
‘Minimal Impact’
Separately, Mr. Bharti also clarified that 1.5 million cars out of the total 2.84 million cars that the company repaired in the 2025-26 fiscal year — reported no issues related to corrosion, wear or component damage.
Specifically, in terms of mileage, he said – given that the fifth-grade blend fuel has a lower calorific value than its E10 predecessor – compared to it, the range drops by “about 3 to 3.5 percent”.
A senior Maruti Suzuki official also said that safety parameters in current vehicles are in line with fuel blends above E20, although he did not elaborate on the range.
Published – 04 Jul 2026 21:41 IST