The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has asked motorists concerned about the impact of E20 petrol on mileage, drivability or vehicle components to approach authorised dealers, saying the government has sensitised automobile manufacturers and dealer networks to address consumer complaints following the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended fuel.

The move shifts the consumer interface for the E20 programme from the government’s testing agency to vehicle manufacturers and their dealer networks.

ARAI, the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ automotive testing agency, said two-wheeler and passenger vehicle manufacturers, which partnered in validating E20 compatibility, are now expected to play a more active role in reassuring customers and investigating genuine technical complaints routed through authorised dealerships.

The agency maintained that its studies found only a 2-6 per cent reduction in fuel efficiency under standard test conditions and no evidence of widespread engine damage or material failures, countering social media claims of mileage losses of up to 30 per cent.

Dealer First

ARAI said consumers experiencing lower mileage, drivability issues or concerns over component deterioration should first approach authorised dealers rather than rely on social media claims. Dealers have been sensitised to inspect vehicles, while genuine technical issues will be escalated to manufacturers for further investigation. According to the agency, no systematic pattern of E20-related failures has so far emerged through dealership networks.

The arrangement creates a formal accountability chain for India’s ethanol programme. While ARAI certifies vehicles for E20 compatibility through scientific testing, manufacturers and their dealer networks will now become the primary interface for resolving customer complaints once vehicles are in use.

Testing Evidence

Defending its findings, ARAI said its conclusions are based on globally accepted test procedures carried out under controlled conditions. Passenger vehicles underwent around 40,000 km of field trials, while two-wheelers were tested for 20,000-30,000 km, supported by accelerated durability and material compatibility studies conducted jointly with automobile manufacturers and oil marketing companies.

The agency acknowledged that real-world fuel economy varies depending on driving behaviour, traffic conditions, maintenance and vehicle age, but said significantly higher mileage-loss claims circulating on social media require technical verification before they can be attributed to E20. ARAI Director Reji Mathai described the current debate as “more of a communication issue than a technology issue.”

Older Vehicles

Addressing concerns over older vehicles, Mathai said owners who suspect E20-related issues should have their vehicles examined through authorised service centres. Dealership feedback remains the primary mechanism through which manufacturers identify emerging technical problems, he said, adding that ARAI has not received evidence of widespread E20-related failures in legacy vehicles through the authorised service ecosystem.

Mathai also clarified that higher ethanol blends such as E25 will undergo fresh durability, emissions and material compatibility studies before any policy decision is taken. Dedicated flex-fuel vehicles designed for E85 or E100 represent a separate technology pathway and should not be confused with the current E20 programme.

Government Response

The comments came as the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a detailed 10-point clarification rejecting claims that E20 damages engines, voids warranties or insurance, increases water consumption or harms the environment. The ministry said the ethanol blending programme has saved more than ₹1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange, generated over ₹1.6 lakh crore in payments to farmers, reduced carbon dioxide emissions by around 930 lakh metric tonne and displaced over 310 lakh metric tonne of crude oil imports since 2014-15.

India achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol in December 2025, ahead of schedule. Installed ethanol production capacity has now reached around 2,000 crore litres, with procurement expected to exceed 1,200 crore litres during the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, according to the ministry.

Published on July 4, 2026