The government said on Saturday that E20 petrol alone cannot be blamed for changes in vehicle mileage. It explained that real‑world fuel economy depends on many factors such as driving habits, traffic conditions, vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure and the use of air conditioning.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas noted that E20 has undergone extensive testing and validation. The ministry stressed that mileage depends on more than fuel alone and that driving and vehicle conditions also play a role.
Motorists have expressed concerns about the impact of the 20 percent ethanol blend on mileage and vehicle performance. The government has previously acknowledged that some vehicles may see a 3‑5 percent drop in fuel economy with E20, while still noting that other factors influence real‑world mileage.
The government and state‑run oil marketing companies have also addressed worries about fuel contamination. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum said nationwide testing found no evidence of high chloride contamination or moisture in E20 petrol.
More than 100 petrol samples from refineries showed chloride levels at or below one part per million. Ethanol samples from 80 distilleries and over 80 E20 samples from depots and terminals recorded chloride levels below the prescribed limit of three ppm.
The oil marketing companies also inspected underground storage tanks at around 90,000 fuel stations and found no water ingress. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the companies conducted rigorous testing at retail outlets, with only a few cases of contamination detected.