Carmakers on E20: No engine damage, but mileage drops

NEW DELHI: Coming to the defence of govt amid backlash over the impact of mandatory 20% blending of ethanol in petrol, vehicle manufacturers on Saturday said there was no evidence of damage to engines, although they admitted to 3-3.5% drop in fuel efficiency in pre-2023 vehicles.

The fall in mileage was on account of E20 petrol having lower calorific value.TOI has learned that govt on Friday reached out to vehicle manufacturers and oil marketing companies (OMCs) to counter the narrative against E20 on social media, including some that are devoid of facts.

Cos asked to send out ‘safe E20’ message

Senior executives from Maruti Suzuki India, Toyota Kirloskar, Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor, Hyundai Motor India and Hero MotoCorp addressed media on Saturday to allay concerns.Responding to a question, Rahul Bharti from Maruti Suzuki India said during 2025-26, they serviced 2.8 crore cars and 1.5 crore of these were more than 3-years-old, meaning these were not certified E20 compliant vehicles. “We have not found anything of concern related to E20 fuel usage in these vehicles ... Apart from the testing that we do in our labs, the field experience has also been fine. This is what gives us the confidence to tell our customers that there is no problem,” he said.

In response to another question on whether the industry would urge govt to keep the present mandatory 20% ethanol blending unchanged for 10-15 years to build confidence among new buyers, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Vikram Gulati said, “IMC (inter-ministerial committee) and auto industry along with other stakeholders are talking to the govt. And there is a clear request for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) and this is also being taken forward.

As more FFVs hit the market this will be a globally compatible pathway, which will bring enough flexibility and agility. This is being discussed and govt is looking in that direction.”He said that the decision to launch fuel pumps dispensing E85 (petrol with 85% ethanol) is a step in this direction, while backing the move.