Government gave information in Parliament – There is no evidence of damage to vehicle engines due to E20 petrol.

New Delhi, 27 July. The central government informed Parliament on Monday that E20 petrol provides better acceleration, smoother ride quality to vehicles and about 30% less carbon emissions compared to E10 petrol. The government also clarified that extensive scientific studies and actual usage data have found no evidence of engine corrosion, abnormal wear or reduced vehicle life due to ethanol blended fuel. Not even among the millions of older vehicles that were not originally certified for E20.

Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi said in Rajya Sabha – E improves the ride quality of the vehicle.20 fuel

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said that E20 fuel improves the ride quality of the vehicle and produces about 30% less carbon emissions than E10.

According to the Petroleum Ministry, fuel with higher ethanol blend ensures cleaner and more complete combustion, leading to almost zero particulate matter (PM) emissions and improving air quality in urban areas.

Found safe in tests20

The government said the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and various automakers had conducted laboratory tests and field trials before implementing E20 fuel. These tests evaluated several aspects including engine strength, vehicle performance, starting ability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency. According to the government, all studies found E20 fuel to be safe under prescribed standards.

No adverse effect found even on old vehicles

The government said the tests also proved that E20 fuel has no significant adverse effect on the performance of older vehicles. Also, no signs of abnormal wear were found in the engine or other parts.

Cited figures of crores of vehicles

The government also cited data collected on a large scale to support its claim. According to him, a major automobile company serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, of which around 1.5 crore were vehicles that were not originally certified as E20 compatible. Despite this, there were no complaints of engine rust, abnormal wear or reduced life of parts due to E20.

Similarly, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer also got similar results. Meanwhile, another major automobile company (OEM) monitored 14 million E20 fueled vehicles over a long period of time, but found no evidence of engine corrosion or any technical problems due to ethanol.

Testing is done as per international standards

The ministry said that ARAI has also reiterated that before any vehicle is delivered to the customers, it has to undergo stringent tests and validation processes in line with international standards, thereby ensuring its safety and performance.