E20 row: Carmakers data flags fuel contamination concerns; complaint later withdrawn
The rollout of E20 petrol has sparked dissatisfaction among motorists, with hundreds claiming the fuel has lowered vehicle mileage, increased wear and tear and even prompted at least one legal challenge.
Concerns have emerged among car manufacturers regarding potential fuel contamination in ethanol-blended E20 petrol in India. Despite official assurances, internal emails reveal worries about the impact on vehicle performance and longevity. Reports state that several automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra, conducted extensive fuel testing across multiple states.
Their findings showed elevated chloride levels in 18 states and high moisture content in certain regions. These issues have sparked complaints from motorists and even led to a legal challenge. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) initially warned about corrosion risks and immediate vehicle failure due to excessive moisture.
However, SIAM later withdrew its complaint, citing insufficient data for definitive conclusions. The government has since conducted rigorous testing, identifying only minimal contamination instances. Automakers maintain that their preliminary findings, while concerning, do not indicate widespread issues with E20 fuel.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
