E20 Petrol Controversy Deepens as Government Assures Safety, Old Vehicle Owners Raise Concerns Over Compatibility

An investigation into the issue has highlighted three key developments that have added further complexity to the debate. These include the rising demand for fuel system components in Delhi’s automobile parts market, a government report from 2021 that acknowledged the need for material changes in several vehicle components for E20 compatibility, and an examination of vehicle manufacturers’ official owner manuals that reportedly mention approval only for petrol containing up to 10 per cent ethanol.

An investigation reached Delhi’s automobile parts market, where discussions with shopkeepers and automobile engineers revealed a noticeable increase in demand for fuel pump assemblies and fuel filters in recent times. Dealers claimed that orders for these components are arriving from different parts of the country.

According to market operators, petrol stations now largely offer E20 fuel, leaving consumers with limited alternatives. As a precautionary measure, several vehicle owners are reportedly replacing fuel system components in advance to avoid possible problems in the future.

Automobile engineer Surendra Sharma stated that fuel system components are among the first areas where ethanol-related concerns may emerge. According to him, ethanol can gradually weaken older types of rubber and plastic materials, while its ability to absorb moisture may increase the possibility of fuel system-related issues.

The concern regarding component compatibility is not new. A 2021 report on the ethanol blending roadmap, which included views from technical institutions including the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), stated that shifting from E10 to E20 would require changes in the materials used in several important components, including piston rings, piston heads, O-rings, seals, and fuel pumps.

The report also stated that manufacturers would need to test and calibrate engines and components according to E20 requirements. This indicates that the government’s own technical assessment had acknowledged years ago that several critical components would require different materials for E20 compatibility.

While these changes have been incorporated into newer vehicles, concerns remain regarding millions of older vehicles still operating with components manufactured for lower ethanol blends. The growing demand for replacement parts in automobile markets has further highlighted these concerns.

The issue has now entered the political arena as well. Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has demanded that petrol stations provide E20 along with E10 and E0, or ethanol-free petrol, allowing consumers to select fuel according to their vehicle requirements. He alleged that the government has removed fuel choices for vehicle owners.

Kejriwal referred to vehicle manufacturers’ owner manuals and claimed that several companies allow only up to E10 ethanol-blended petrol in their documents. He has sought written guarantees from Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar, and Hero MotoCorp that if vehicle components are damaged due to E20 fuel or mileage drops by more than 10 per cent, the companies would compensate affected customers. He also stated that he would write to the Prime Minister regarding the issue.

An investigation examined Kejriwal’s claims by reviewing the official owner manuals of the 2019 Suzuki Jimny and the 2022 Toyota Glanza. Both manuals mentioned that vehicles could use petrol containing a maximum of 10 per cent ethanol. The Toyota Glanza manual also included E5 and E10 labels on the fuel lid.

The Maruti Suzuki manual also specified the same limit under the section related to petrol ethanol blends. It included a note stating that if customers were not satisfied with vehicle drivability or mileage after using ethanol-blended petrol, they could use petrol without alcohol content. The manual further stated that if alcohol-containing fuel spills on the vehicle body during refuelling, it could damage the paint, and such damage would not be covered under warranty.

The investigation found that the official manuals examined for vehicles manufactured between 2019 and 2022 did not mention E20 compatibility and only permitted ethanol blends up to E10. To this extent, Kejriwal’s claim matched the available documents.

Engineers have advised owners of older vehicles to replace fuel filters before scheduled intervals, inspect rubber pipes, seals, and O-rings during every service, avoid leaving vehicles unused for extended periods, and immediately visit authorised service centres if they experience starting problems, jerking, or unusual mileage decline.

Experts also stated that ethanol contains less energy compared to petrol, making some reduction in mileage technically possible. However, timely maintenance can significantly reduce its impact.

The central government has consistently maintained that E20 petrol is safe. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has described claims circulating on social media as rumours and urged people to rely on scientific facts.

Vehicle manufacturers have also maintained that E20 is safe for older vehicles and that the impact on mileage would remain limited. The government has argued that ethanol blending will reduce crude oil imports, save foreign exchange, benefit farmers, and help reduce pollution.

However, questions surrounding older vehicles continue to remain unresolved. The rising demand for fuel system components, the findings mentioned in the 2021 government report, and the ethanol limits stated in several vehicle manuals together indicate why millions of vehicle owners continue to seek clarity. If newer vehicles required component changes for E20 compatibility and older manuals permitted only E10 fuel, owners want a clear and reliable answer about the safest option for their vehicles. Until then, careful maintenance remains the primary measure for protecting older vehicles from possible fuel-related issues.