Government Clarifies E20 Fuel Impact on Mileage and Engine Health

As India pushes forward with its ethanol-blending programme, the introduction of petrol with 20% ethanol, or E20 fuel, has raised questions among truck, bus, and three-wheeler operators. Concerns range from possible drops in E20 fuel mileage to long-term engine wear. The government has now addressed these worries, calling many of the claims “misplaced.”

Mileage Concerns and Government Clarification

Vehicle owners, particularly of older commercial vehicles, feared a “drastic” reduction in fuel efficiency. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that any drop in mileage is “marginal, if at all.”

“Extensive discussions have been carried out with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers as well as prominent manufacturers of vehicles. The efficiency drop in E10 vehicles has been marginal. For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise,” the ministry said.

Experts say that any decrease in E20 fuel mileage is minor. Muralidharan Gopi Ramesh from Stellantis explained that ethanol’s lower energy density could reduce power and mileage by 2-3%. Older vehicles not tuned for E20 might see a truck go from 15 kmpl to 14.7 kmpl. In normal driving conditions, this difference is barely noticeable.

Beyond Fuel: Factors Affecting Mileage

The ministry also pointed out that fuel efficiency depends on more than just ethanol content. Driving habits, maintenance practices, tyre pressure, alignment, and even air conditioning load all affect mileage. Improved engine tuning and E20-compatible materials further reduce any efficiency loss.

Advantages and Disadvantages of E20 Fuel

The government highlighted several E20 fuel advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, trucks, buses, and three wheelers experience better acceleration, improved ride quality, and lower carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel. Ethanol’s higher octane number boosts engine performance and reduces knocking.

The move from a Research Octane Number of 88 to 95 with E20 fuel supports stricter BS-VI emission standards. It also helps vehicles meet higher performance requirements, particularly for commercial applications.

Compatibility and Maintenance

Some older vehicles were designed for petrol with an ethanol percentage of no more than 10%. Manuals for these models warn that using higher blends could affect driveability. The government reassured that E20 fuel does not impact insurance or warranties.

“For a vehicle owner who believes that his/her vehicle may require further tuning or parts replacement, the entire network of authorized service stations is available to respond to such requests,” the ministry said.

Corrosion and Long-Term Vehicle Health

Concerns about ethanol absorbing moisture and causing corrosion exist, especially in older vehicles with uncoated metal fuel systems. However, most trucks, buses, and three wheelers already use corrosion-resistant materials such as plastic fuel tanks and galvanized iron fuel lines. Corrosion issues, if any, are likely to appear only after many years of use.

“Replacement of some rubber parts or gaskets could be advised in certain older vehicles after prolonged use of 20,000 to 30,000 kms. This replacement is inexpensive and easily done during regular servicing of the vehicle,” the ministry added.

Testing and Industry Assurance

Research by the Automotive Research Association of India, Indian Oil, and the Indian Institute of Petroleum confirmed that E20 fuel is safe even for legacy vehicles. Hot and cold startability tests showed no engine damage.

Rajnath Ram, Adviser (Energy) at NITI Aayog, noted at a SIAM event that Indian vehicles showed no abnormal wear and tear even after 100,000 kilometers on E20 fuel.

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