E25 petrol rollout reports ‘absolutely false’, testing still ongoing, government says amid E20 backlash | Today’s news
The Union government has dismissed reports of plans to introduce E25 petrol. The government said no such decision had been made and that testing of a higher ethanol blend in various vehicle models was still underway, according to multiple media reports on July 7.
Claims of the introduction of E25 are “absolutely false”, a News18 report said. The fuel (E25) has not yet completed the extensive scientific and technical evaluation required before any policy decision can be made, the report said, citing a government source who said: “How can E25 be planned when the testing itself is still ongoing?”
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The clarification came amid reports suggesting the government could phase in E25 gasoline as part of its ethanol blending program. This has led to concerns among vehicle owners about engine compatibility and long-term performance.
Switching to ethanol fuel
Any decision regarding the E-25 will depend on scientific testing and technical verification, not political speculation, NDTV said, citing unnamed sources. E-20 gasoline, which has been in use for more than two-and-a-half years after extensive testing, is “absolutely nothing to worry about,” an NDTV report said, citing officials.
The transition to ethanol fuel was done gradually, reports said. The E-15 mixture was made in April 2023, followed by E-19, which was introduced in April 2024, and E-20 has been in use since April 2025, the report said, adding that tests and evaluations were carried out at each stage.
As things stand today, as many as 20 million petrol-powered two-wheelers and 20 million four-wheelers are already using ethanol-laced petrol, several officials were quoted as saying by several media outlets.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in its 10-point clarification last week that gasoline containing up to 20% ethanol is supported by scientific studies, international experience and regulatory safeguards.
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Formerly Indian Express report indicated that the government is now considering delaying its launch plans E25 fuelamid backlash over its mandate to raise the ethanol content of gasoline from 10 to 20 percent.
The I.E The report reveals that a meeting was held at the highest levels of government last week where it was decided that a scientific approach was needed to deal with some complaints about ethanol fuels.
The report cited sources to reveal that the government has agreed that it needs to give enough time for the ecosystem to prepare, and therefore has to avoid the push to switch to E25 fuel for now, as the switch to E20 has not been received well by the Indian consumer.
Concerns about the impending launch came to a head after two steps by the central government: first, the exemption of central excise duty on fuel containing 22 to 30% ethanol and the subsequent Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reporting fuel standards for such blends.
Protest against ethanol blend in New Delhi
A number of motorists on Sunday registered their protest against the E20 ethanol blend, saying the fuel damages engines and increases costs. The New Delhi protest was the first such major protest against the government’s 20% ethanol gasoline directive.
Motorists have argued that the Indian government’s push for self-sufficiency has resulted in poorer fuel economy and higher maintenance costs borne by the Indian consumer.
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“A car is the second most expensive thing the middle class buys,” political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla, who led the protests in Delhi, told reporters.
“The government has imposed E20 fuel on citizens who have E10 fuel compatible vehicles and they are now facing the consequences.”
