E20 problems persist: 6 in 10 car owners report more than 10% drop in mileage before 2023, survey finds | Today’s news

More than a year after India completed the nationwide rollout of E20 gasoline, most owners of older gasoline vehicles continue to report a sharp drop in fuel economy, suggesting that concerns about the higher-ethanol blend are far from resolved. A new LocalCircles survey found that 67% of pre-2023 petrol vehicle owners said their mileage had fallen by more than 10% since the start of 2025, with almost half also citing rising vehicle maintenance and wear and tear costs.

The findings come as India moves forward with higher ethanol blends above E20 as part of its energy transition strategy. It also follows the first known consumer court ruling on E20 fuel, in which the Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Maruti Suzuki to replace the vehicle or refund its owner following repeated engine problems allegedly linked to the use of E20.

Most owners of older gasoline vehicles report a sharp drop in mileage

The LocalCircles survey, which received more than 45,000 responses from pre-2023 petrol vehicle owners in 309 districts, found that more than two-thirds of respondents had experienced a significant reduction in fuel consumption.

Of the 22,541 respondents who answered the mileage question, 67% said their vehicles had more than 10% less mileage than they did at the start of 2025. Almost one in four reported a drop of more than 20%.

The findings indicated that consumer complaints were largely unchanged from previous surveys conducted in May and June, suggesting that the problem has become permanent rather than temporary.

The survey also found that only 13% of respondents said they saw no effect on mileage.

Read also | E20 fuel range: 5 in 10 car owners ready for legal battle over damages – Survey

Concerns about wear and tear continue to grow

In addition to fuel consumption, vehicle owners have also reported increasing maintenance issues.

According to the survey, 45% of pre-2023 gasoline vehicle owners said they have experienced an unusual increase in wear and tear or repairs to components such as the engine, fuel lines, fuel pump, injectors and fuel tank since early 2025.

The proportion of reported maintenance-related issues has risen steadily from 29% in May 2026 to 45% in the latest survey, indicating growing concern among motorists.

Respondents reported problems including rough idling, increased engine vibration, harder cold starts, lower pickup and more frequent repairs.

Concerns have extended beyond older vehicles

The survey suggests that the problem is not limited to older cars.

A parallel survey by LocalCircles of more than 22,000 owners of petrol vehicles purchased in 2023 and 2024 found that 59% also reported a reduction in mileage of more than 10% from the start of 2025. One in four respondents reported a reduction of more than 20%, despite these vehicles being sold as E20 compatible.

LocalCircles reported that the extent of the reported mileage losses exceed the government’s own estimates and may indicate fuel quality issues beyond ethanol blending itself.

The organization highlighted the possibility of adulteration or contamination of gasoline, including ethanol concentrations above the mandatory 20% and cases of water contamination in the fuel supply chain. He called for an independent investigation and regular, transparent testing of ethanol content at gas stations.

Read also | Maruti challenges Raipur consumer court order to replace damaged car

Government and industry say E20 is within safety standards

The survey findings contradict the government’s stance on E20 fuel.

The government has acknowledged that E20 gasoline can reduce the fuel consumption of older vehicles not calibrated for the blend, and estimates a drop of around 3 to 5%. Controlled tests conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) similarly showed a 2-6% reduction in mileage.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has claimed that there is no conclusive evidence that E20 causes engine damage, while government agencies including ARAI, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have said their studies have not found any abnormal engine wear when E20 is used in vehicles manufactured to the applicable standards.

However, the latest survey suggests that many motorists continue to struggle in real-world driving conditions.

The decision of the consumer court adds a legal dimension

The debate about E20 gasoline has also entered the legal arena.

On 16 July 2026, the Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Maruti Suzuki and its dealer to replace a 2024 Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid after the owner reported repeated stalling, misfires and a drop in performance after using E20 petrol.

Read also | E20 petrol can reduce mileage by up to 5% in older vehicles: Govt

If the vehicle is not replaced within the specified period, the Commission ordered the company to refund the money ₹20.50 lakh, inclusive of registration and insurance charges, along with Rs ₹1 lakh as compensation for mental harassment and ₹10,000 towards the costs of the court proceedings.

Maruti Suzuki said it would contest the order, saying the vehicle was already compatible with E20 fuel.

Although the ruling is case-by-case and remains subject to appeal, it is widely considered to be the first court decision to directly address consumer complaints related to E20 gasoline.

India is preparing for higher ethanol blends

India achieved nationwide availability of E20 gasoline in April 2025, achieving its 20% ethanol blending target six years ahead of the original 2030 deadline.

The government is now preparing for the next phase of the program, including the possible introduction of E25 blends and higher ethanols. In May 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards announced IS 19850:2026, which lays down the regulatory framework for fuels beyond E20.

Officials clarified that E25 remains in the evaluation phase and that any commercial rollout will depend on the readiness of the ecosystem.