The government has not taken any decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% level, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
He said any proposal to raise the ethanol blending percentage would be considered only after comprehensive scientific studies and consultations with key stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and research institutions.
In a written reply, Gopi stated that India has already achieved its target of 20% ethanol blending five years ahead of schedule. The average blending level has risen from around 1.53% in 2013-14 to 20% during the 2025-26 supply year, following more than two decades of gradual implementation.
Government highlights benefits of ethanol blending
The minister said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has generated significant economic and environmental gains since 2014-15.
According to him, the initiative has helped the country save more than ₹1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports. It has also displaced nearly 316 lakh tonnes of crude oil and prevented an estimated 952 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
In addition to reducing import dependence, the programme has generated more than ₹1.66 lakh crore in additional income for farmers, he added.
No widespread complaints regarding E20 fuel
Responding to concerns about vehicle performance, Gopi said the government has not received any widespread or verified complaints from automobile manufacturers, industry associations or consumer groups regarding engine failures, fuel pump issues, corrosion or water contamination linked to E20 fuel.
He noted that concerns raised in the media and on social media had been examined through scientific assessments. More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol-powered cars, including many not originally certified for E20 fuel, have been operating on E15-plus and E19-E20 petrol for several years without any verified evidence of widespread engine damage or vehicle failures.
The minister also cited service data from a leading four-wheeler manufacturer covering 2.84 crore vehicles during 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore vehicles that were not E20-certified. According to the data, no damage attributable to E20 fuel was identified. Similar findings were reported by a leading two-wheeler manufacturer.
He added that while older vehicles designed for E10 fuel may experience a marginal reduction in fuel efficiency of around 3% to 5%, E20 offers higher octane levels and promotes cleaner combustion. Automobile manufacturers also continue to honour warranties for vehicles using standard E20 fuel.
Food security and water usage
Addressing concerns over food security, Gopi said the ethanol blending programme has not affected food availability because only surplus grains are diverted for ethanol production after meeting the requirements of the Public Distribution System, the National Food Security Act and mandatory buffer stock norms.
He stated that rice diverted for ethanol production increased from 31.11 lakh tonnes in the previous year to 39.28 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 up to June 30, while maize diversion declined from 131.18 lakh tonnes to 67.87 lakh tonnes over the same period.
According to the minister, retail prices of rice and sugar have remained unaffected, describing the ethanol blending programme as a "waste-to-wealth" initiative.
He further said the government has diversified ethanol feedstocks beyond sugarcane by increasing the use of maize, which now contributes around 37% of total ethanol production.
The minister also noted that ethanol plants consume approximately three to five litres of processed water to produce one litre of ethanol, adding that all distilleries are required to operate as zero-liquid-discharge facilities.
Gopi further clarified that there is currently no proposal to offer lower-blend or non-blended petrol at select fuel stations, stating that maintaining separate fuel supply chains would increase costs while reducing the environmental benefits and additional income generated for farmers under the ethanol blending programme.
