A panel of automobile and energy experts on Saturday defended India's E20 ethanol blending programme amid increasing public criticism, maintaining that extensive research and testing have found no evidence that the fuel causes problems for vehicles.
The experts also pointed out that ethanol is used in Formula 1 racing and said India's transition to E20 was implemented only after years of scientific studies and regulatory clearances.
The remarks were made during a press conference held amid an ongoing debate over the government's E20 petrol mandate and claims on social media regarding its impact on vehicle performance.
The panel comprised former Engineers India Limited (EIL) CMD Vartika Shukla, Bajaj Auto Circle Head Manpreet Singh, TVS Senior Vice President (Corporate Affairs) Prashad Krishnan, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Country Head and Executive Vice President (Corporate Affairs and Governance) Vikram Gulati, Maruti Suzuki Senior Executive Officer Rahul Bharti, Hyundai India representative Puneet Anand and Hero Moto representative Ashutosh Verma.
Extensive testing before E20 rollout
Former EIL CMD Vartika Shukla said the shift to ethanol blending was a gradual process rather than an overnight decision, noting that India achieved its E20 blending target in December 2025. She said the automobile industry conducted extensive testing before the rollout and stressed that the initiative is aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Shukla also highlighted that countries such as Canada and Paraguay already use E20 fuel and that it complies with Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) emission standards.
Toyota: Ethanol is a very good fuel
Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Vikram Gulati said the automobile sector functions within a robust regulatory framework, with fuel specifications clearly defined. He explained that manufacturers thoroughly engineer and test vehicles before they are certified by independent agencies for public use.
Describing ethanol as "a very good fuel," Gulati said some of the earliest automobiles in the early 1900s operated on ethanol. He also noted that Formula 1 cars use ethanol-based fuel and said the fuel helps lower carbon emissions. Referring to the recent West Asia crisis, he said it underscored the risks associated with dependence on crude oil and external energy supplies.
No concerning findings on E20: Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki Senior Executive Officer Rahul Bharti said India introduced the E20 fuel mandate in 2023 and acknowledged that concerns primarily relate to vehicles manufactured before that year.
"That is the central question which needs to be addressed," he said, while adding, "We haven't found anything of concern in E20 fuel."
Former IOCL chief backs E20
Former Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) Chairman B Ashok also defended the ethanol blending programme in an interview with ANI. He said the initiative has improved India's energy security, boosted farmers' incomes and helped reduce carbon emissions.
Ashok added that scientific research has not found evidence that E20 fuel damages vehicle engines or significantly reduces fuel efficiency. He said many of the concerns surrounding E20 are based on misconceptions or exaggerated claims rather than scientific findings.
Government rejects claims over water use
The press conference followed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issuing a detailed 10-point clarification addressing what it described as misinformation circulating on social media about the E20 programme.
The ministry dismissed claims that producing one litre of ethanol requires 10,000 litres of water, stating that only surplus rice, available after meeting national food security requirements, is diverted for ethanol production. It said ethanol distilleries typically consume around 3-5 litres of processed water per litre of ethanol and are increasingly adopting Zero Liquid Discharge systems to recycle water.
The ministry also rejected allegations that E20 causes engine damage, invalidates insurance or harms the environment, stating that the programme is supported by scientific research, international experience and regulatory safeguards.
India launched the Ethanol Blending Programme in 2003 with the objectives of reducing crude oil imports, strengthening energy security and promoting environmental sustainability. The initiative was implemented in phases following technical assessments and consultations with stakeholders before the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol from 2023 onwards.
The government's E20 mandate has sparked widespread debate, particularly among owners of petrol vehicles manufactured before 2023, with many reporting reduced fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs and increased wear and tear.
Bhutan opts to continue with conventional petrol
The discussion around E20 has also spread beyond India. Bhutan has declined an offer from Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to adopt E20 fuel and has requested continued supplies of conventional petrol for as long as it remains available in India.
According to The Bhutanese, the decision was not driven by concerns over E20 itself but by Bhutan's existing fuel storage infrastructure. The report said the country's ageing underground fuel tanks pose a higher risk of water seepage into stored fuel, prompting authorities to continue using conventional petrol.
