Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.The Centre is likely to put on hold its proposal to raise ethanol blending in petrol from the current 20% to 25%, as growing concerns over vehicle performance, mileage and compatibility prompt a more cautious approach. Instead of rushing to the next phase, the government is understood to be favoring a gradual and structured transition while studying feedback from consumers and automobile manufacturers. The move comes despite India achieving its original E20 target much ahead of schedule, with 20% ethanol-blended petrol now becoming the standard fuel available across the country.

Why Government Is Slowing The Transition

The government's rethink comes after widespread complaints from vehicle owners and inputs from automobile manufacturers over the rapid jump in ethanol blending over the past three years. Consumers have reported a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency, while owners of older vehicles have expressed concerns about possible damage to engines and fuel system components designed for lower ethanol blends.

Key reasons behind the likely delay include:

• Growing complaints of reduced mileage after the introduction of E20 petrol.
• Concerns over compatibility of older E10-compliant vehicles.
• Feedback from automobile manufacturers seeking a phased transition.
• Need for further technical validation before moving to E25.

The Centre had originally planned to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030. However, the target was met well in advance, leading to nationwide availability of E20 fuel, comprising 80% petrol and 20% ethanol.

ARAI Study Flags Technical Concerns

An internal study conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has reportedly raised concerns over the use of E20 fuel in older E10-compatible vehicles. Though the report has not yet been made public, it is said to have become an important reference document for policymakers and automobile manufacturers while evaluating the next phase of ethanol blending.

Among the major observations:

• Rubber components such as fuel pipes, seals, gaskets and O-rings may deteriorate in older vehicles using E20 fuel.
• Some of these components could require replacement over time.
• Metallic engine components showed no adverse impact during testing.
• Vehicle emissions continued to remain within prescribed legal limits.

Mileage Drop Remains Biggest Consumer Concern

Experts explain that ethanol contains lower energy content than conventional petrol, meaning more fuel is required to produce the same amount of power. As a result, vehicles running on higher ethanol blends generally deliver lower mileage. According to the ARAI findings, fuel consumption increases by around 2% to 6% when E20 is used instead of E10, although the impact varies across vehicle categories and models.

The study also examined engine durability under different testing conditions. While one manufacturer reportedly completed a 400-hour durability test without any performance issues, another manufacturer's engine experienced an exhaust valve failure after 809 hours of testing. Experts, however, cautioned that the failure may not have been caused solely by ethanol-blended fuel and could have involved other engineering factors.

Mixed Results Across Different Vehicle Categories

The testing also revealed differing outcomes across vehicle types and engine generations. A BS-IV four-wheeler engine reportedly performed satisfactorily with E20 fuel. However, a BS-VI turbocharged engine showed signs of technical issues after around 265 hours of durability testing. In contrast, three two-wheeler manufacturers reportedly completed durability tests without detecting any significant problems, suggesting that E20 may be more suitable for certain vehicle segments.

The reported exhaust valve issue involved what engineers describe as "thermomechanical failure", a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and repeated mechanical stress. Such stress can eventually bend, crack or break exhaust valves, potentially affecting engine performance.

Government Maintains No Conclusive Evidence Of Damage

Despite the concerns highlighted in the study and consumer feedback, government-backed experts have maintained that extensive testing has not established conclusive evidence that E20 fuel causes widespread damage to vehicles. During a recent media briefing, experts from the automobile industry and energy sector said many of the claims circulating on social media regarding engine damage had not been scientifically proven through large-scale testing.

Industry representatives from major automobile companies, along with technical experts, reiterated that research on higher ethanol blends is continuing. As the government weighs the next phase of its ethanol roadmap, the focus is expected to remain on balancing cleaner fuels and energy security with consumer confidence, vehicle safety and long-term engine reliability before any decision on introducing E25 petrol is taken.