E20 Petrol: Common Myths Busted

With India achieving the 20% ethanol blended petrol target, five years ahead of schedule, E20 petrol is now making way to a majority of fuel pumps across the nation. Almost three years after the adoption of E10 petrol in 2022, E20 fuel marks a new chapter in India’s broader Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Policy, which kicked off in 2003. While ethanol has surely helped India become less dependent on fossil fuels and costly crude oil imports, the public reception of ethanol blended fuel hasn’t been so smooth. With a lot of doubts, myths, and presumptions surrounding E20 petrol, it is high time for a myth-buster to step in, and that’s exactly what we are going to do in this article. So if you are planning to make a shift to ethanol blended E20 petrol, then here’s a myth-busting reality check that can help you make the right choice. 

E20 Petrol: The True Story

From mileage concerns, engine wear, and environmental issues, to adulteration and flawed implementation, several doubts have time and again surrounded E20 petrol in India. While some doubts often have a well-founded base, a majority are simply myths that are usually responsible for creating a negative mindset. The key to making an informed decision is knowing the true story, and here’s what you need to know about the myths surrounding E20 petrol in India:

Myth: Ethanol is only bad news – there are no real sustainable benefits

The Reality: Ethanol reduces CO2 emissions, fuel imports, and supports farmers

Remember the renewable vs non-renewable energy debate you read in school? Well, that’s exactly what is going on with ethanol blended vs regular petrol. Ethanol is a renewable energy source that can be produced from organic biomass such as sugarcane, grains, and other agricultural materials. In comparison, petrol is derived from crude oil, which is a fossil fuel and a non-renewable resource that is limited in quantity and takes millions of years to replenish. So even if you assume that E20 petrol offers no practical advantage as a fuel, the fact that ethanol is a renewable resource alone makes it a sustainable tool that helps India reduce CO₂ emissions, costly crude oil imports, and boosts the agricultural sector responsible for the production of ethanol.

Myth: E20 Petrol damages vehicle engines

The Reality: Thoroughly tested, ethanol does not lead to performance/durability issues

Several countries have been adopting ethanol blended petrol from as early as the 1990s, with India’s own Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme in place since 2003. With both global and national precedents, over the years, several government-backed tests and research have been conducted by organisations like ARAI, IIP, and Indian Oil R&D, which have confirmed that there are no performance or durability issues in vehicles running on E20 petrol.

International studies on ethanol blending, through in-depth testing of fuel-injected vehicles at intervals of every 10,000 km till their first 1,00,000 km, also showed no significant ill effects in power and torque generation.

Myth: E20 petrol drastically reduces fuel mileage

The Reality: Ethanol leads only to a small drop in mileage, which can be minimised with engine tuning

While efficiency reduction with E20 petrol is somewhat true, the magnitude of this variation is often misplaced and exaggerated. While using E20 petrol, a slight mileage drop: ~1–2% for E10-calibrated engines running on E20 fuel and ~3–6% for other older engines. However, an important thing to note here is that BS6 Phase 2 cars manufactured post April 2023 are already fully E20-compliant and do not show any noticeable mileage reduction. Moreover, even for vehicles that show a minute mileage reduction, the overall difference is not very significant and can easily be mitigated by proper engine tuning.

Myth: E20 petrol causes corrosion in fuel systems

The Reality: Modern ethanol blended fuels have corrosion inhibitors to mitigate corrosion

Even though ethanol blended petrol is considered to be chemically more corrosive than regular petrol, its overall effect on the engine system is not as harsh as portrayed. Moreover, since modern fuels include corrosion inhibitors, the chances of your car’s engine being damaged only because of E20 petrol use are minor. BIS and OEM standards ensure the use of ethanol-tolerant materials in fuel lines, tanks, and injectors, especially for newer vehicles. For older cars, the risk might be higher, but too high to make E20 petrol a complete no.

Myth: Consumers are forced to use adulterated petrol

The Reality: E20 is a certified, phased, and regulated fuel, not adulteration

Labelling E20 petrol as “adulterated” is completely flawed and unwarranted. The term adulteration implies blending fuel with something that reduces its quality and properties. However, with ethanol, the equation is completely different. The process of ethanol blending is a highly researched and globally tested process that makes petrol burn better in a cleaner manner and with fewer CO2 emissions.

Myth: Ethanol leads to food shortages

The Reality: Ethanol policy focuses on non-food biomass, ensuring food security is maintained

While it is true that the production of ethanol largely depends on the processing of natural biomass such as sugarcane, molasses, grains, etc., the process of ethanol production in India is undertaken in a manner that ensures that the nation’s food security is not hampered in any manner. Moreover, the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme in India is a progressive policy that promotes second-generation ethanol production from non-food biomass.

Myth: Ethanol leads to lower lubrication and more engine wear

The Reality: E10/E20 blends use lubrication additives to prevent engine wear

Modern E10/E20 ethanol -petrol blends contain lubrication additives that ensure the engine is not subjected to excessive wear and tear. There have been no proven lubrication-related failures in older Indian vehicles using E20 petrol. In fact, age-based wear, not ethanol, is the usual cause of ultimate engine failures.

Myth: Ethanol increases knocking in pre-2017 cars

The Reality: Ethanol may lead to engine knocking, which can be tackled through ECU adjustments

While it is true that ethanol itself has a higher knock resistance, however, that does not pose a problem in any manner provided the ECU is rightly calibrated. Some pre-2017 vehicles may lack adaptive ECUs and might require an ignition timing adjustment, but that again is something that can be managed with ECU calibration.

Myth: E20 is a scam to boost the government fuel tax

The Reality: Ethanol is subject to tax incentives

If you happen to visit a petrol pump selling E20 petrol recently, you would notice that ethanol-blended fuel is priced lower than regular petrol. Moreover, in 2021, the government also lowered the GST rate from 18% to 5% on ethanol meant to be used for blending purposes. Moreover, in 2022, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs also exempted the excise duty on higher biofuel blends.

The Bottom Line

The adoption of E20 fuel in India has truly triggered a new chapter in the history of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme that started in 2003. With several environmental and sustainability benefits, ethanol blended petrol is a big move that can truly elevate India’s energy security. However, the only way that can happen is when we, as consumers, truly gain knowledge about ethanol blended petrol amidst all the myths surrounding it.