A Year Of E20 Petrol: 50% Owners Of Pre-2023 Petrol Vehicles Want To Switch Back To E0 Or E10, Shows Survey

(MENAFN- Live Mint) More than a year after India completed the nationwide adoption of E20 petrol, meeting its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending well before the 2030 deadline, the impact on owners of older petrol vehicles is becoming increasingly apparent, a survey revealed on Friday.

A LocalCircles survey showed that many vehicle owners have reported reduced mileage and unusual wear and tear, which is now increasingly translating into a tangible financial cost. This comes despite the government's push towards greater ethanol use continuing to gather pace.

The survey received 42,000 responses from owners of old petrol vehicles (pre-2023 models), located across 316 districts. 66 per cent of respondents were men and 34 per cent were women, of which 42 per cent of respondents were from tier I, 32 per cent from tier II and 26 per cent of respondents were from tier III, IV, V & rural districts.

However, a significant number of consumers contend that the increase in fuel consumption and vehicle repair costs they are experiencing exceeds the Automotive Research Association of India's (ARAI) estimate that E20 fuel would reduce mileage by only one to six per cent.

Concerns over older petrol vehicles grow

Additionally, the survey states that the experience of these consumers is not isolated. A year after the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, concerns among owners of older petrol vehicles continue to increase. The survey of 50,000 owners of petrol vehicles purchased in 2022 or earlier found that one in two respondents experienced reduced fuel efficiency since early 2025. At least three in 10 reported unusual wear and tear or increased repair needs affecting components such as the engine, fuel line, tank and carburettor.

The findings also suggest that the impact of E20 petrol on older vehicles may be more crucial than official estimates indicate, raising questions about vehicle compatibility, operating costs, and consumer choice as India moves toward higher ethanol blends.

This is a developing story. More details awaited.

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