Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday rejected claims that E20 petrol—fuel containing 20% ethanol—leads to lower mileage in vehicles. Responding to a question about growing concerns on social media, Gadkari said, “There’s no real issue here. I don’t know if I should say this politically, but it feels like the petroleum industry is behind this narrative.”
In an interview during a Business Today summit, he challenged critics to point out any vehicle globally that has faced issues due to E20 usage. “I openly challenge anyone—E20 causes no problems at all,” he said.
His comments come just days after the petroleum ministry also clarified that E20 poses no serious risk to engines or vehicle performance. While it admitted that mileage could dip slightly—up to 2% in newer vehicles and around 6% in older models—the ministry said these effects are manageable with regular servicing. Minor part replacements like gaskets or rubber seals might be required after 20,000–30,000 km, especially in older cars, but these are generally low-cost and part of routine maintenance.
Gadkari highlighted broader benefits of ethanol blending, pointing out its role in reducing oil imports and lowering pollution levels. He noted that ethanol production from maize has driven its price up from ₹1,200 to ₹2,600 per quintal, encouraging a threefold increase in cultivation in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. “This is directly boosting farmer incomes,” he said.
He also argued that such moves could help push agriculture’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 12% to 22%, and called 100% ethanol “the fuel of the future.”
