India's government has confirmed that E20 petrol, which blends 20% ethanol with gasoline, can reduce vehicle mileage by 3 to 5 percent. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas says the trade off is worth it. E20 offers a higher octane rating, better acceleration, cleaner engine operation, and lower carbon emissions. The program has already saved over Rs 1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange and cut CO2 emissions by 952 lakh tonnes since 2014. The government rolled out E20 after years of testing with automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp. They reported no unusual engine wear or rust in real world conditions. India reached 10% blending in 2022 and hit 20% by the 2025-26 supply year. The ministry rejected calls for multiple fuel grades at pumps, saying separate supply chains would raise costs. The main goal is reducing crude imports and improving energy security, not lowering pump prices.
