E20 petrol backlash grows: 53% of vehicle owners call rollout 'disastrous', 66% report mileage drop, survey finds

Published 5 July 2026 · india

Just over a year after India achieved nationwide availability of E20 petrol in April 2025—meeting its target of 20% ethanol blending six years ahead of

Just over a year after India achieved nationwide availability of E20 petrol in April 2025—meeting its target of 20% ethanol blending six years ahead of the original 2030 deadline—public opinion on the implementation of the programme has turned increasingly critical. A survey conducted by LocalCircles found that 53% of petrol vehicle owners described the Road Transport and Petroleum Ministries' handling of the E20 rollout as either "disastrous" or "ineffective", with 42% calling it outright "disastrous". By comparison, only 13% of respondents gave the government's handling a positive rating. The survey also revealed widespread concerns over fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Around 66% of respondents said their vehicles' mileage had dropped by more than 10% after switching to E20 petrol, while 31% said they would prefer the option of using E0 or E10 fuel again, even if it came at a higher price. The government, however, has consistently defended the ethanol blending programme. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has maintained that the impact of E20 on fuel efficiency is minimal, dismissed much of the criticism circulating online as a "make-believe narrative", and clarified that vehicle insurance coverage is unaffected by the transition to the blended fuel.

Regulatory changes have continued alongside the rollout. From April 1, 2026, all E20 petrol sold in the country must comply with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 to improve combustion stability and minimise engine knocking. In May 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards also notified IS 19850:2026, establishing specifications for ethanol blends ranging from E22 to E30, with effect from May 15. India's E20 petrol rollout faces growing consumer scrutiny For now, the government's roadmap remains focused on E20 until October 31, 2026. Any decision to introduce higher ethanol blends will be taken after the Inter-Ministerial Committee submits its report and consultations with stakeholders are completed. Appearing before the Supreme Court in July 2026, the Centre said ethanol blending remains an evolving programme whose long-term impact is expected to become clearer by 2027, while rejecting claims that the initiative is merely experimental. Nevertheless, a noticeable gap continues to exist between official assessments and consumer experiences. Also Read | Maruti Suzuki, Toyota India execs defend E20 petrol amid row While the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) estimates that E20 results in only a 1-6% reduction in fuel efficiency, several independent real-world studies have reported mileage losses of 8-12% in older vehicles, many of which were never designed to operate on E20 fuel.