Car Mileage May Drop: India is driving ethanol-blended gasoline to reduce pollution and decrease the reliance on foreign oil. But recent news reports that E20 petrol can affect mileage, leaving car and bike owners with new questions.

Mileage Drop With E20

Car owners have also complained of a perceptible loss in performance with E20 fuel. Delhi-based automobile engineer Surendra Pal Singh has claimed that his car previously gave about 17 km per litre, but now it only gives 14.5 km per litre. Even when using premium petrol, mileage was better, but the overall cost of running increased. Several drivers are now questioning why they should pay extra for a fuel that cuts mileage.

NITI Aayog’s 2021 Report

NITI Aayog, in its “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020–25,” had already declared that fuels with a larger percentage of ethanol should be cheaper than regular petrol. This was recommended to offset the lower calorific value that decreases mileage directly. Vehicle owners would otherwise feel the pinch without such pricing relief.

ARAI Findings

As per the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), four-wheelers driven on E20 fuel can experience a reduction in mileage of 6 to 7 percent. Two-wheelers can experience a reduction of 3 to 4 percent. Nevertheless, ARAI further stated that if engines are adjusted and formulated to use E20, the loss may be minimized. Their 2016 and 2021 studies did not locate any substantial adverse effect of E20 fuel on vehicles.

Supreme Court’s Verdict

Supreme Court recently rejected a petition against the use of E20 fuel. According to the petitioner, cars produced prior to April 2023 might not be compatible with 20 percent ethanol petrol. He further cited the fact that even certain BS6 vehicles are not compatible. The court, however, agreed with the government’s position that E20 fuel directly benefits sugarcane farmers and is good for the economy.

E20 Policy Will Stay

Attorney General R. Venkataramani, on behalf of the Centre, told the court the petition was not serious in its merit. He described how farmers are earning higher revenues from E20 adoption, and India saves on crude oil imports. The government also mentioned positive environmental impacts, clarifying that the E20 policy will not be stopped despite alarm over lower mileage.

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