Buy 100% petrol if you don't want ethanol-blended fuel, but it will cost more, says Nitin Gadkari

Amid the ongoing debate over ethanol-blended petrol (E20) across the country, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has stated that those who do not wish to use ethanol-blended fuel can purchase 100% pure petrol — but it will come at a higher price. He made this statement in an interview with 'Times of India' and dismissed concerns about E20 fuel as 'misinformation.'

Gadkari's comments come in the context of concerns raised by consumers and some opposition parties regarding reduced mileage and engine damage. According to media sources, he stated in the interview, "Those who do not want ethanol-blended fuel can take 100% petrol, but they will have to pay more."

When asked whether it is possible to keep E10 alongside E20 at petrol pumps, Gadkari replied that the country has already achieved the target of blending 20% ethanol and that E20 is now available at almost every pump. He avoided directly commenting on whether separate dispensers for multiple blends will be kept, stating that the decision falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Petroleum.

According to news agency sources, Gadkari mentioned that E85 (petrol blended with 85% ethanol) is already available at some pumps for flex-fuel vehicles (FFV). He claimed that E85 is actually cheaper than E20 and that more than half a dozen car companies are preparing to launch such vehicles in the market.

Gadkari dismissed the claim that E20 damages engines as misinformation, stating, "All vehicles suitable for E10 are also eligible for E20 usage." He claimed that no complaints of engine damage have been filed so far, and Maruti Suzuki has publicly acknowledged this. Gadkari alleged that the campaign against this program is 'politically motivated.'

Regarding mileage, Gadkari admitted that due to the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol, there may be a slight decrease in mileage with E20. Notably, last week, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also stated that in some vehicles, mileage with E20 fuel could decrease by 3 to 5 percent. However, the ministry claimed that this slight shortfall is not significant compared to the benefits of reduced life-cycle carbon emissions. The ministry described E20 as a 'cleaner, superior, and more efficient fuel' compared to E10 or pure petrol.

Gadkari also refuted allegations of benefiting from the ethanol program through family businesses. He stated that discussions regarding ethanol in his sons' sugar mills began long before and that this program was initiated during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure. Gadkari claimed, "Ethanol accounts for only 10 percent of my sons' business, and their share in the country's ethanol business is less than 0.5 percent. Those companies are burdened with debts of 16 billion rupees. A lot of false information is being spread." He asserted that since fuel prices are determined by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Petroleum runs the program, he has no influence over it.

Under the ethanol-blended petrol program, up to 20 percent ethanol is blended with regular petrol, known as E20. India reached its target for 2030 nearly six years early, achieving it in the ethanol supply year of 2025-26. Recently, the controversy intensified due to a series of complaints on social media regarding reduced mileage, engine damage, and compatibility with older vehicles. Some drivers claim that mileage is decreasing by 6 to 10 percent, although government figures suggest a shortfall of 3 to 5 percent.

In this context, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas published a detailed 10-point Q&A document addressing questions related to engine damage, warranty, insurance, mileage, and environmental impact. The ministry claimed that no significant engine damage has been detected in tests conducted by multiple agencies, including ARAI and Indian Oil, although it acknowledged that some rubber components in older vehicles may wear out sooner.

The government claims that since the inception of the ethanol program in 2014-15, it has saved over 1.9 lakh crore rupees in foreign currency by reducing crude oil imports, increased farmers' income, and strengthened the sugar economy. However, the opposition claims that pure petrol and blended petrol should be sold side by side at regular pumps in the interest of older vehicles.