Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has pushed back against claims that ethanol-blended fuel (E20 petrol) is causing widespread vehicular damage, dismissing such reports as a "concerted false narrative". In a recent interview with the Indian Express, the Minister clarified the impact of higher ethanol blends on vehicle performance and outlined the government's long-term strategy for alternative fuels in India.
Performance and Mileage Considerations
Addressing concerns regarding a potential dip in fuel efficiency, Minister Gadkari acknowledged the technical reality that ethanol possesses a lower calorific value than pure petrol. "Look, there are a couple of things: the first is the difference in calorific value between ethanol and petrol – which is a fact," he stated. Mahindra Confirms All Its Vehicles Are Compatible With E20 Petrol in India, Releases Statement.
However, he emphasised that mileage fluctuations are often dictated by external variables rather than fuel composition alone. He pointed to urban driving conditions in major metros like Delhi and Mumbai, where stop-and-go traffic and frequent braking significantly impact fuel consumption regardless of the fuel type. "In stop-and-go traffic from Delhi to Gurgaon, you are constantly braking," Gadkari explained. "Your speed barely goes above 40-50 (kilometres per hour) before you hit a red light. However, if you drive at a continuous speed for 100 km (per hour), you may see some difference in value," he added.
Nitin Gadkari Dismisses Claims of Vehicular Damage
Nitin Gadkari firmly rejected social media claims regarding engine failures linked to the E20 blend (20 per cent ethanol, 80 per cent petrol), which was introduced nationwide following rigorous testing by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and vehicle manufacturers. "Show me a single car that has suffered damage because of E20 fuel. What is being circulated on social media is part of a concerted false narrative," the Minister stated. He added that investigations into reported instances of damage often revealed that adulterated fuel - not ethanol - was the true cause. To ensure long-term compatibility, manufacturers have been instructed to replace older metal washers with rubber components during routine servicing, a measure implemented at no extra cost to consumers. E20 Ethanol Blending Is a Well-Planned Initiative, Says Former BPCL Official R Ramachandran.
The Path Toward Flex-Fuel and Alternative Energy
The government is actively promoting flex-fuel engine technology, which is designed to perform efficiently across varying blends of ethanol and petrol. Major manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, Toyota Kirloskar, and Maruti Suzuki are currently preparing to bring flex-fuel models to the Indian market. Gadkari also highlighted the potential for other indigenous fuels to reduce India’s reliance on fossil fuel imports, which currently total approximately INR 2 lakh crore. He noted successful trials of methanol-diesel blends in buses and the potential for iso-butanol to serve as an alternative for diesel-powered agricultural and construction equipment.
"We do not want foreign fuel or imports," Gadkari said. By leveraging diverse energy sources - ranging from CNG and methanol to ethanol and iso-butanol - the government aims to provide consumers with more choices while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and lowering logistics costs for the transport sector.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 05:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
