E20 Fuel: Reduced Pollution, Higher Fuel Costs and Impact on Vehicle Mileage

The Indian government is promoting ethanol-blended petrol to reduce pollution and decrease reliance on imported fuel. However, vehicle owners and experts have recently reported that E20 fuel is impacting vehicle mileage. According to reports, an automobile engineer from Delhi, stated that his car’s mileage has decreased from 17-17.5 km/liter to 14.5 km/liter after using E20 fuel, despite the vehicle being less than three years old. Using premium petrol improved the mileage but increased costs. Many car owners are questioning why they should pay more for fuel that reduces their vehicle’s efficiency. The NITI Aayog, in its 2021 report, recommended that E20 fuel should be priced lower than regular petrol to compensate for its lower calorific value. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) indicates that E20 can reduce the mileage of four-wheelers by 6-7 percent and two-wheelers by 3-4 percent. The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against E20, supporting the government’s stance that E20 benefits sugarcane farmers. The court’s decision affirms that the E20 policy will continue, as it supports reduced energy imports, increases farmers’ income, and contributes to environmental protection.