New Delhi, August 7: The Central Government on Friday informed Parliament that extensive laboratory studies and field trials conducted by government agencies, automobile manufacturers and industry bodies have confirmed that E20 petrol is safe for use in vehicles when operated under prescribed standards.
In a written reply in Parliament, the Ministry of Heavy Industries said the evaluation covered critical parameters, including engine durability, drivability, cold-start performance, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, fuel system reliability, emissions and fuel efficiency.
The ministry stated that the studies were carried out by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), along with automobile manufacturers. The findings concluded that E20 fuel is safe for use in compatible vehicles.
The government also informed Parliament that an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), constituted under NITI Aayog on December 26, 2020, comprehensively assessed vehicle compatibility, mileage and efficiency aspects of ethanol blending before the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol.
According to the ministry, the committee’s assessment was supported by scientific research undertaken by IOCL, ARAI and SIAM, with active participation from automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, testing agencies and oil marketing companies throughout the evaluation process.
The Centre said E20 petrol was introduced only after successful validation of fuel systems, engine durability, drivability, material compatibility and emissions performance through extensive scientific studies and a phased implementation strategy.
The ministry further clarified that the studies did not reveal any significant adverse impact on vehicle performance, durability or material compatibility in legacy vehicles when operated under the prescribed standards and conditions.
The government reiterated that the adoption of E20 fuel is part of India’s broader ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowering emissions and promoting cleaner transportation while ensuring vehicle safety and performance.
