E20 mileage row: Govt says fuel alone can't be blamed; cites driving & maintenance
The government clarifies that the introduction of E20 petrol does not hinder vehicle mileage, emphasizing that actual fuel efficiency hinges on how drivers operate their vehicles and maintain them. Comprehensive assessments confirmed that E20 fuel is both durable and compatible with engines. Additionally, no significant contamination issues were discovered in E20 petrol samples by oil companies,…
The Indian government clarified on Saturday that E20 petrol, blended with 20% ethanol, cannot be solely blamed for changes in vehicle mileage. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas emphasized that real-world fuel economy depends on various factors, such as driving habits, traffic conditions, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure, and air-conditioning usage.
On social media platform X, the ministry added that "E20 has undergone extensive testing and validation, while real-world mileage depends on the overall driving and vehicle conditions."
The clarification follows ongoing concerns among motorists about E20's impact on mileage, vehicle performance, and compatibility. While the government acknowledged that E20 may lead to a 3-5% reduction in fuel economy for some vehicles, it also stated that actual mileage varies with driving and vehicle-related factors.
The ministry highlighted that E20 testing included engine durability, drivability, startability, material compatibility, and corrosion resistance, and described the fuel as "E20 Tested. Validated. E20 Ready," asserting confidence in E20 compatibility and vehicle performance.
Additionally, oil marketing companies - Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum - refuted broader concerns over alleged fuel contamination. Nationwide testing of over 100 petrol samples from refineries found no evidence of high chloride contamination or excessive moisture, with chloride levels at or below one part per million.
Inspections of underground storage tanks at around 90,000 fuel stations also revealed no water ingress. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri mentioned that oil marketing companies conducted rigorous testing at retail outlets, with only a few cases of contamination detected.
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.
