E20 and 95 RON petrol mandatory across the country from April 1, big decision of the government

The central government has taken a big decision regarding fuel. From April 1, 2026, 20% ethanol blended petrol i.e. E20 and petrol with minimum 95 RON will be mandatory in the entire country. The government says that this will reduce the import of crude oil and pollution will also reduce. But common drivers have a question in their mind – what effect will this have on our bike and car?

What is the harm of 95 RON petrol? Understand in simple language.

95 RON means 95 Research Octane Number. The higher the octane number, the better the burning of the fuel. Generally the octane of ordinary petrol is around 90, while 95 RON is considered premium petrol.

Petrol with higher octane reduces knocking in the engine. Knocking means a rattling or pinging sound in the engine, which can spoil the health of the engine in the long run. Especially in vehicles with turbo or powerful engines, 95 RON provides smooth drive and better pickup.

What is E20 petrol and why is it becoming mandatory?

E20 means a mixture of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. Ethanol is made from sugarcane, corn or grains. The objective of the government is clear – to reduce dependence on foreign oil and promote indigenous farming.

Adding ethanol reduces the smoke emitted from vehicles to some extent, which helps in reducing pollution. That means, this decision is being considered an important step for both environment and energy saving.

What will be the impact on old vehicles?

According to the auto industry, most of the vehicles manufactured after 2023-25 ​​have been designed according to E20. New vehicles do not need to take much tension.

But the mileage of old bikes and cars may reduce by 3 to 7 percent. In some cases, there is a possibility of impact on rubber or plastic parts. Therefore, owners of old vehicles will have to pay special attention to servicing.

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Important advice for drivers

If your car is new and E20 compliant then there is nothing to worry about. Just keep getting the service done on time.

If it is an old car then get it checked by a mechanic, get the fuel pipe and engine parts checked. With proper maintenance you can avoid any major damage.

This step of the government is a long-term decision. This is being said to be necessary for the environment and energy security of the country, but it is wise for vehicle owners to be prepared in advance and take full care of the health of their vehicle.