Half of gasoline vehicle owners reported lower mileage after adding ethanol, a survey | Today’s news

Just over a year after India formally completed the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol in April 2025, a new survey has found that vehicle performance has seen a significant drop. While the government celebrates reaching its goal of 20% ethanol blending six years ahead of schedule, consumers, especially those driving older vehicles, are reporting severe mileage drops and accelerated engine damage.

Vehicles saw a decrease in mileage

According to a survey by LocalCircles, of the 24,710 people surveyed, half said their fuel consumption had fallen over the past 9 months, with some saying mileage had dropped by as much as 20 percent.

Vehicles face multiple engine issues

It also found that among those who own vehicles purchased before 2022, around 29 percent of owners have experienced unusual levels of wear or need for repair in the past 9 months. Most vehicle owners have had problems with the engine, fuel line, tank, carburetor, etc.

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No looking back for the ethanol blending policy

Despite growing public concern, the government remains steadfast in its move to even higher ethanol blends. Policymakers see the blending program as a key strategy to reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil, reduce vehicle emissions and boost agricultural sectors producing sugarcane and grain-based ethanol.

The study noted that whether the new E20 standard will fully solve the problems faced by owners of older gasoline vehicles remains to be seen. In the meantime, there is a need for policy makers to re-examine ethanol policy as fuel efficiency must be prioritized alongside environmental concerns as they are interconnected.

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Also, the fact that more than a quarter of those surveyed experienced more than normal wear and tear on their vehicle or the need for repair shows that many vehicles will become unroadworthy before the 15-year lifespan set by the government for petrol vehicles.

If the higher octane ethanol blend fuel does not solve the problems faced by owners of older petrol vehicles, the government needs to review its fuel policy to allow the sale of lower ethanol blend fuel for older petrol vehicles, so as not to tax the owners of such vehicles. Not everyone is able to switch vehicles at will as finances remain a major issue in most households in India.

Experts note that ethanol behaves differently than traditional gasoline. It has a lower energy density and easily absorbs moisture. In vehicles not designed for high ethanol blends, this leads to faster engine heat, rough idling, corrosion and permanent degradation of rubber seals and plastic components. For middle-class households already struggling with the rising cost of living, these mechanical issues translate into significantly higher monthly fuel expenses and looming repair bills.

Standards for blending 30 percent ethanol announced

Even as the government accelerates the transition to higher ethanol blends, the Bureau of Indian Standards announced IS 19850:2026 on E22 to E30 blends in May 2026 and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has mandated that all E20 gasoline sold from April 1, 2026 must meet the minimum research octane rating of 95, lacto for E5 or E10 fuel says their experience at roads do not match the official Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) estimate of a 1-6% drop in fuel efficiency.

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The government has strongly defended the program, with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri publicly stating that ethanol-laced fuel has minimal impact on vehicles, and in September 2025 the Supreme Court also dismissed a PIL seeking continued availability of ethanol-free petrol at petrol stations, saying that consumer preferences cannot dictate national energy policy.

Key things

• Half of the owners of gasoline vehicles surveyed report a reduction in the number of kilometers driven after the introduction of E20.
• Older vehicles are more susceptible to damage from ethanol blends, prompting calls for a rethink of the policy.
• The lower energy density of ethanol can lead to increased mechanical problems and costs for vehicle owners.