Ethanol-blended Petrol Mileage: Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has allayed fears surrounding ethanol blending in petrol, as there has been a backlash against E20 fuel being imposed on consumers. Dismissing concerns over lower mileage, performance issues, and a drop in fuel efficiency, Gadkari challenged, 'You show me one vehicle anywhere in the world which had problems because of E20 petrol!'

Gadkari on Low Mileage Claim

Gadkari blamed the backlash against the E20 blend on a political conspiracy theory, sparked by petrol lobbies. 'This is not even a discussion. I don't know if I should say this, politically — it appears that the petroleum lobby is manipulating it,” he said today while addressing Business Today’s India@100 Summit. 

📍𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒉𝒊 | Addressing Business Today’s India@100 Summit https://t.co/fF0MpFqatq

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 8, 2025

However, he admitted that ethanol blending in petrol could reduce the average mileage of vehicles, but it doesn't damage them. This could be mitigated through the proper engine tuning – estimated at 1-2 per cent in E10 vehicles calibrated for E20, and 3-6 per cent in older models, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said early this week in a social media post.

Nitin Gadkari: E20 is Safe

Dismissing concerns raised over damage to the environment, Gadkari said that the ethanol-blended petrol was not only safe but also economically and environmentally viable. Per the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, the safety standards for ethanol are well defined by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) specifications and Automotive Industry Standards. In vehicles that have run for about 20,000 to 30,000 km, replacing certain rubber gaskets is recommended. This replacement is a low-cost fix and can be conveniently done during routine vehicle servicing, according to the ministry. 

Besides, locally produced ethanol helps to reduce India's import bill and cuts pollution too, Gadkari added during the conversation. Billing the ethanol programme as a 'diversification of agriculture towards energy and power', he said that corn prices went up to Rs 2,600 per quintal from Rs 1200 per quintal due to demand for ethanol. And this has resulted in a three-fold rise in area under maize in Bihar and UP, as well as helped raise the income of farmers, according to Gadkari.