Nitin Gadkari Defends E20 Fuel, Says Older Vehicles Face No Major Issues

The government on Wednesday said some rubber parts and gaskets in BS-III vehicles, introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016, might need to be replaced when operated with petrol containing 20 per cent ethanol (E20). However, even legacy vehicles did not exhibit any significant variations in performance, nor do they show abnormal wear-and-tear when operated with E20 fuel, according to the government.

The defence of the government came at a time when it faced strong criticism from opposition parties and some consumer groups over its impact on older vehicles not specially designed for higher ethanol blends. The critics have questioned the government on vehicle compatibility, raising concern about reduced fuel efficiency and higher maintenance cost of the consumers.

In support of the E20 fuel use, the government further said that many extensive studies have found no significant performance or durability issues in vehicles running on E20 petrol, asserting that even older vehicles generally do not require engine modifications to use the fuel.

“Studies have not shown any need to modify the car and two-wheeler engines. They confirmed that even legacy vehicles did not exhibit any significant variations in performance, nor do they show abnormal wear-and-tear when operated with E20 fuel,” said road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Gadkari also said that a study for the evaluation of effects of E20 on two-wheelers and four-wheelers, was carried out jointly by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). “No issues were reported in parameters such as drivability, startability, metal compatibility, and plastic compatibility,” he said.

“Only in case of testing done on BS-III vehicles introduced from 1st April, 2005, and manufactured prior to 2016, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which can be easily managed during routine servicing regime of the vehicle,” the minister added.

The government has maintained that the transition has been phased and backed by extensive testing, while automobile manufacturers have said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel. The minister also explained that an inter-ministerial committee (IMC), constituted on December 26, 2020, under the Niti Aayog, comprehensively examined vehicle compatibility and mileage/efficiency aspects of ethanol blending.

“This assessment was supported by research conducted by Indian IOCL, Automotive ARAI, and SIAM. The committee’s Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, released in June 2021, was prepared after extensive consultation with automobile manufacturers, oil companies and agricultural experts, and examined material compatibility, engine calibration, fuel systems, drivability, durability, emissions and fuel efficiency,” he added.