The use of E20 petrol in India may reduce vehicle mileage by 2 to 5 percent. The impact is less on new and E20-compatible vehicles, while older vehicles may experience a slightly greater reduction in fuel efficiency. According to the Ministry of Petroleum, the decrease is only 1 to 2 percent in vehicles with proper calibration.
E20 petrol: The Indian government has promoted the use of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) in vehicles, but experts believe that this may reduce vehicle mileage by 2 to 5 percent. The impact is negligible on new models and E20-compatible cars, while older vehicles may experience a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. The Ministry of Petroleum has stated that the decrease in mileage is limited to only 1 to 2 percent in vehicles with proper tuning.
Why E20 Reduces Mileage
Experts explain that ethanol has a lower calorie content compared to petrol. This means that when 20 percent ethanol is mixed with petrol in a vehicle, the energy production capacity of the fuel decreases. This is the reason why a decrease of 2 to 5 percent can be seen in mileage.
Ethanol releases less energy when burned compared to petrol. Therefore, there may be a slight decrease in mileage when using E20 in older vehicles. However, this effect is very small in new and E20-compatible vehicles.
Impact on Old and New Vehicles
New vehicles are gradually becoming E20-compatible. This means that the use of E20 is safe in new model vehicles and the impact on mileage will be very low. On the other hand, this can be a challenge for older vehicles.
Engineers say that over the long term, parts such as gaskets, fuel rubber pipes, and hoses in older vehicles may experience wear and tear. However, this effect is not immediately visible and appears gradually over time.
Government's Perspective
The Ministry of Petroleum has clarified that the perception circulating on social media that E20 causes a significant drop in mileage is incorrect. According to the ministry, the reduction in mileage in older vehicles is very minor.
The ministry also stated that vehicles tuned for E20 not only provide better performance but also offer faster acceleration in city driving conditions. In addition, due to the higher vaporization capacity of ethanol compared to petrol, the engine temperature remains controlled. This makes the air-fuel mixture denser and increases volumetric efficiency.
How Much Can Be the Reduction
According to the ministry, in vehicles designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, the mileage may decrease by only 1 to 2 percent. On the other hand, a decrease of 3 to 6 percent can be seen in vehicles that are not designed for E20.
This means that most new vehicle owners have very little to worry about in terms of mileage reduction. However, a slight decrease may be observed for older vehicles.
Beneficial for Environment and Fuel Saving
The use of E20 petrol is increasing in India. It is beneficial in terms of the environment and saving fossil fuels. However, it may have a slight impact on mileage, especially in older vehicles. This effect will be very small in new and E20-compatible vehicles. Experts and the government both say that E20 improves vehicle performance and will prove beneficial in the long run.
