Now Nitin Gadkari also admitted, how much does the mileage of the car reduce due to the use of ethanol? understand multiplication

For the last few days, the debate has been intense across the country regarding E20 petrol i.e. petrol mixed with 20% ethanol. Many vehicle owners claim that the mileage of their vehicle has reduced due to the use of this fuel, while some people have also expressed concern about the impact on the engine. Meanwhile, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has also expressed his views on this issue. The government says that there may be a slight reduction in mileage with E20, but the talk of a 30% reduction is not correct.

NITI Aayog’s report and automobile industry’s tests also show that some reduction in mileage was observed, but no serious damage was found to the engine. In fact, India has adopted the policy of mixing ethanol in petrol with the aim of reducing dependence on crude oil imports, reducing pollution and increasing the income of farmers.

target achieved ahead of time

The country achieved the target of 20% ethanol blending (E20) ahead of time in 2025-26. But, along with this, many claims like low mileage and engine failure also surfaced on social media. Clarifying these claims, the government said that before implementing E20 petrol, extensive tests were conducted by ARAI, SIAM, Indian Oil and automobile companies. According to the government, the impact on mileage is limited and depends on many other factors like driving style, tire pressure, servicing and AC usage.

• E20 petrol contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
• In NITI Aayog’s study, the mileage of some vehicles was found to be reduced by an average of 6%.
• The government termed the claim of 30% fall in mileage as false.
• The test did not reveal any serious damage or abnormal wear to the engine.
• The aim of the government is to reduce the import of crude oil and increase the income of farmers.

What is Nitin Gadkari’s statement?

Rejecting the apprehensions being raised regarding E20 petrol, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that till now not a single case has come to light in which the engine of any vehicle has been damaged due to E20 petrol. He said, ‘Show even one vehicle in the country which has been damaged by E20 petrol.’ Nitin Gadkari also admitted that due to the energy efficiency of ethanol being less than petrol, the mileage can be reduced by about 3-4%, but this is being exaggerated. According to him, extensive tests have been conducted on E20 fuel and it has been found safe.

After all, how much does the mileage reduce?

The biggest question is that how much less does the car run after adding E20 petrol. According to the NITI Aayog report, fuel efficiency may drop by an average of 6% in tests conducted at the vehicle level, although this is not the same for every vehicle. This reduction depends on engine capacity, vehicle model and driving conditions. On the other hand, the government says that the claim of 30% mileage reduction is false.

Does it damage the engine?

The second major concern regarding E20 is damage to the engine. The report states that during long-term testing, no serious problems like abnormal wear, carbon deposits or engine oil spoilage were found in the engine. The vehicles started normally and ran normally in both hot and cold weather with no major issues. However, the report also said that some plastic parts, especially the PA66 material, were found to have reduced strength. The government says that necessary technical tests were completed before implementing E20.

Why is the government promoting this?

The government believes that mixing ethanol in petrol will reduce the need to buy crude oil from abroad. This will save foreign exchange, reduce carbon emissions and farmers will benefit from increasing demand for ethanol made from sugarcane and other agricultural products. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has also said that there may be a slight reduction in mileage from E20, but its benefits related to environment and energy security are bigger. The government is also working on a plan to move towards fuels like E85 and E100 in the future.

Old parts will be replaced for free

Nitin Gadkari said that many important improvements have been made during the adoption of E20 and flex-fuel technology. He told that some washers (seals) installed in old cars may need to be replaced. Therefore, vehicle companies have been told that when such vehicles come for service, these washers should be replaced free of cost without charging any extra. He also said that ethanol has high octane number and better anti-knocking ability, due to which the engine performance remains good. He said that he has been advocating the promotion of ethanol and flex-fuel since 2004.