Guwahati: Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce fuel economy by 2% to 6%, depending on the vehicle category and vintage, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said tests conducted on engines and vehicles found no failures attributable to E20 fuel, despite the reduction in mileage.
“The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6% depending on the vehicle category and vintage. The tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and vehicle tests on road have not shown any failures due to E20,” he said.
The minister said E20 fuel offers better acceleration, improved ride quality and around 30% lower carbon emissions than E10 fuel.
Gadkari said the impact of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI petrol-powered two-wheelers and four-wheelers was evaluated through a joint study by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
According to him, the study included standard certification tests as well as customised protocols developed in consultation with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The rollout of E20 petrol has faced criticism from Opposition parties and consumer groups, which have raised concerns over its compatibility with older vehicles, possible reductions in fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs.
Responding to these concerns, Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme has been implemented through a phased and scientifically validated process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies, ARAI, SIAM, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.
He said the EBP programme began as a pilot project in 2001, with E5 introduced in 2006. Ethanol blending, which stood at about 1.53% in 2013-14, has since been increased gradually after expanding production capacity, infrastructure and the regulatory framework.
According to the minister, E15+ petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been used for over two-and-a-half years.
Gadkari said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have operated on these blends without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown caused by ethanol blending.
“Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel,” he said, adding that automobile manufacturers continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel.