India Rules Out Increasing Ethanol Petrol Blends Beyond 20 Percent

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced in Parliament on July 30, 2026, that the Indian government will not increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 percent (E20) without conducting additional scientific studies and stakeholder consultations.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Gopi defended the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, stating that its rollout followed a phased, scientifically validated process. He cited laboratory tests and field data from over 20 crore two-wheelers and 3 crore cars showing no evidence of widespread engine failure, abnormal wear, or corrosion. Gopi noted that automobile manufacturers continue to honor warranty obligations for vehicles using E20, which serves as evidence of the fuel's reliability.

Technical assessments from the Automotive Research Association of India and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers indicate that E20 improves acceleration and ride quality while reducing carbon emissions. However, the government acknowledged that some vehicles designed for E10 may experience a 3-5 percent drop in fuel economy.

Gopi described the programme as a strategic investment in energy security and farmer welfare. He highlighted that the use of domestically produced biofuels helped shield Indian consumers from global crude oil price spikes during a recent West Asian crisis, limiting domestic price increases to 7-8 percent while global prices rose by 70-80 percent.