E20: The Indian government is encouraging the use of E20 petrol, which is 20 percent ethanol blended with standard petrol. Though this move supports cleaner fuel options, automobile experts feel that this will impact fuel efficiency. Reports suggest that the cars can experience a slight fall in mileage between 2 to 5 percent, depending upon the vehicle’s type and the calibration of the vehicle for the E20 mode.

Why Mileage Reduces with E20 Petrol

Experts say that ethanol has a lesser calorific value than petrol. This implies that ethanol yields less energy when ignited. When petrol is mixed with 20 percent ethanol, vehicles develop a little less power per litre, which results in decreasing mileage. The impact is not sizeable, but significant for motorists who monitor fuel efficiency carefully.

Impact on Older Vehicles

Newer vehicles are slowly turning E20-friendly, meaning that they can cope with the fuel without significant problems. For older models, though, things may be a little tricky. According to engineers, after extensive use, components such as fuel pipes, gaskets, and hoses on older vehicles may deteriorate quicker. Although the effect is not instant, it may appear after some time, particularly in those vehicles which are not made for more ethanol content.

Government’s Clarification

The Ministry of Petroleum has assured that fears of a steep decline in mileage are hyped. The officials say that even in older cars compatible with E10, the decline in efficiency is extremely minute. Actually, most automobile companies have been making cars compatible with E20 since 2009. This means most cars currently plying Indian roads are already E20 petrol-friendly.

How Much Mileage Drop Can You Expect?

Cars made for E10 petrol but modified for E20, the ministry says, would lose no more than 1 to 2 percent in mileage. Vehicles that are not made for E20 might suffer a greater decline, of about 3 to 6 percent. While that does translate to slightly more fuel use, the long-term pay-off of lower emissions and improved fuel sustainability is viewed as the larger benefit.

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