Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari addressed the Rajya Sabha on Sunday, August 2, 2026, and confirmed that studies have shown legacy vehicles do not suffer significant performance or wear when operating on E20 fuel.
He explained that BS‑III vehicles, which were introduced from April 1, 2005 and manufactured before 2016, may need replacement of some rubber parts and gaskets when run on E20. The minister said these changes are minor and can be managed by regular maintenance.
Gadkari highlighted that vehicle mileage is influenced by many factors beyond fuel type, such as driving habits, maintenance practices, tyre pressure, and air conditioning load. He stressed that the ethanol blend itself is not the sole determinant of mileage.
An inter‑ministerial committee set up in December 2020 under NITI Aayog studied vehicle compatibility and mileage issues with ethanol blending. The committee’s report was published before the introduction of E20 fuel.
The study was supported by research from Indian Oil, the Automotive Research Association of India, and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, there have been no widespread engine failures or vehicle breakdowns linked to ethanol blending.
The minister noted that concerns about engine performance, mileage, and vehicle wear have largely come from public commentary and social media. He assured that the ethanol‑blended petrol programme has been rolled out in a phased, scientifically validated, and consultative manner.
While the government plans to adopt E25 petrol in a calculated way after consulting industry stakeholders, the transition will be undertaken carefully to address any impact on fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Overall, the transport ministry remains confident that E20 fuel is compatible with most legacy vehicles, and any minor maintenance requirements can be handled through routine servicing.