India's E20 Petrol Rollout Sparks Driver Concerns Over Engine Damage and Fuel Efficiency

The Indian government has rolled out E20 petrol, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, to reduce oil imports and emissions. However, consumers are complaining of damaged engines, lower fuel efficiency, and costly repairs. Car critics and owners are demanding the right to choose what fuel they put in their cars and are sharing their experiences online. The government has denied claims of engine damage and performance loss, but admits mileage might dip slightly.

The Indian government has recently implemented E20 petrol, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, to reduce oil imports and emissions. However, this initiative has sparked a wave of consumer complaints, including damaged engines, lower fuel efficiency, and costly repairs. Car critics and owners have taken to social media to share their experiences, demanding the right to choose their fuel and expressing frustration with the lack of compatible fuel options for older vehicles.

Car reviewer Amit Khare, who reaches millions of people across various social media platforms, has criticized the fuel, stating that ethanol is "a dry and corrosive fuel" that can damage several engine components. He also noted that neither the government nor petrol pumps have adequately informed consumers about these issues [1].

Consumers have been vocal about their concerns, with many reporting lower fuel efficiency and engine damage. Punjab-based car critic Sunderdeep Singh has called for mandatory different blends and clear colour-coding at petrol stations to inform consumers about the ethanol content in their fuel [1].

The government has responded to these concerns, stating that the criticism lacks technical foundation and that its own reports have found no major engine damage or performance loss. However, it has admitted that mileage might dip slightly, by between 1% and 2% in newer cars and up to 6% in older ones. The government has also emphasized the need for routine servicing to manage this issue [1].

Two of India's largest motorcycle and scooter makers, Hero MotoCorp and TVS Motor, have issued advisories about ethanol, stating that vehicles made before 2023 require modifications to the fuel system to run efficiently on E20 fuel [1]. Shell India has also warned customers about the risk of engine damage or warranty loss from E20 fuel [1].

Consumers have demanded that the government make provisions to choose between ethanol-blended petrol and pure petrol. They argue that the government should provide clearer information about the ethanol content in petrol and the compatibility of their vehicles with E20 fuel. Some consumers have reported a steady drop in mileage and increased fuel costs, which they attribute to the ethanol blend [2].

The Indian government's biofuel drive aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the cost of importing oil. The ethanol programme has saved India approximately 1.06 trillion rupees ($12.09 billion) in crude oil import costs between 2014 and 2024 and has helped to avoid 54.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the same decade [1]. However, the gains come with trade-offs, including the diversion of crops for ethanol production and the potential environmental impacts of intensive farming methods used to produce ethanol.

In conclusion, while the Indian government's E20 petrol rollout aims to reduce oil imports and emissions, it has sparked significant consumer concerns about engine damage, lower fuel efficiency, and costly repairs. The government has responded to these concerns, but consumers are demanding more information and the right to choose their fuel. The success of this initiative will depend on addressing these consumer concerns and ensuring the compatibility of vehicles with E20 fuel.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/indias-e20-petrol-rollout-sparks-driver-revolt/articleshow/123145363.cms
[2] https://thesouthfirst.com/news/ethanol-blend-in-petrol-is-damaging-your-vehicle-manufacturers-consumers-flag-concerns/