Ethanol-Blended Petrol: Car Experts Warn Of 2-5% Fuel Efficiency Drop

New Delhi: Amid an increasing number of users flagging a significant mileage drop for their cars, allegedly due to ethanol-blended petrol being distributed in India, car experts on Sunday warned that the usage of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 percent drop in fuel efficiency, news agency PTI reported, citing sources in automotive industry.

The experts say the drop in fuel efficiency can vary depending upon the type of car. Cars which are older and not E20 compliant may face erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, leading to a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 percent. The change would be purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol, the report stated, citing an expert.

Read Also: TMC Leader Slams Modi-Government For Overcharging Ethanol-Blended Petrol

The government has taken measures to blend petrol with 20 percent ethanol extracted from sugarcane or maize as a national initiative. The oil ministry had earlier asserted that, if any, the fuel efficiency drop in E10 vehicles has been marginal, adding that the critics’ claim that E20 causes a ‘drastic’ reduction in fuel efficiency is misplaced.

“For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. “The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise,” the ministry had said, adding that vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration, which is a very important factor in city driving conditions.

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The ministry had claimed that the ethanol-blended petrol, being lower in energy density than petrol, results in a marginal decrease in mileage, estimated at 1-2 percent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3-6 percent in others.

The report also cited another expert, saying that E20 usage will not have any impact on the engines of compliant vehicles, as the materials are tuned for it, highlighting that for vehicles which are not E20 compatible, there could be erosion of gaskets and fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, and not immediately.

Notably, there have been wide criticism against the government that despite mandating ethanol-blending, which makes it cheaper for government while reduces mileages, the people are still being overcharged for fuels.

Several X users have pointed out that the market cost of ethanol-blended petrol is cheaper by a minimum of Rs 9/liter, noting that the government is robbing people by overcharging for the ethanol-blended fuel.