E20 Petrol Boosts Performance, Cuts Emissions Without Harming Engines: Centre

New Delhi: The Central government on Monday told Parliament that E20 petrol improves vehicle performance, reduces emissions and does not cause engine damage, citing extensive scientific studies and real-world data from millions of vehicles.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said E20 fuel delivers better acceleration, smoother ride quality and nearly 30 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to E10 petrol.

According to the government, higher ethanol-blended fuel also promotes cleaner and more complete combustion, resulting in near-zero particulate matter emissions, which can help improve urban air quality.

The government said the introduction of E20 petrol was preceded by extensive laboratory tests and field trials conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Oil Corporation, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and leading automobile manufacturers.

These studies assessed engine durability, drivability, cold-start performance, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency. Based on the findings, the government said E20 fuel was found to be safe for use under prescribed standards.

The Centre also stated that tests on older or "legacy" vehicles showed no significant change in performance, abnormal engine wear or reduction in vehicle lifespan due to the use of E20 fuel.

Supporting its claims with industry data, the government said a leading automobile manufacturer serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during the 2025–26 financial year, including nearly 1.5 crore vehicles that were not originally certified as E20-compatible. The company reportedly found no cases of E20-related corrosion, abnormal wear or reduced component life.

A major two-wheeler manufacturer reported similar results, while another leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) monitored 1.4 crore vehicles running on E20 fuel over an extended period and found no evidence of ethanol-induced corrosion or engine damage.

The government added that ARAI has reaffirmed that vehicles undergo rigorous testing in line with international standards before they are introduced to consumers, ensuring their safety and reliability with E20 fuel.

With inputs from IANS