Did Govt Mandate Manufacturers To Certify Vehicles As E10, E20 Fuel Compatible? What Centre Said

New Delhi: The minister of road transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday said that the compatibility of vehicle with the level of ethanol blend of E20 shall be defined by the vehicle manufacturer, and the same shall be displayed on the vehicle by putting a clearly visible sticker.

The minister was responding to a question regarding whether the government has prescribed norms mandating vehicle manufacturers to label or certify models as E10 or E20 fuel compatible. 

Read Also: Mileage Drop, Engine Issues: Survey Reveals Vehicle Owners’ Experience After Using E20 Fuel In 2025

The TMC MP, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, had also sought the details about the number of vehicles currently registered in the country.
That is not compliant with E20 fuel standards. The minister clarified that the vehicles sold prior to 1st April 2023 were compliant with E10 and the vehicles sold after 1st April 2023 are E20 material compliant.

“Safety standards for E20 are well established through BISspecifications and Automotive Industry Standards (AIS). In most parameters, including driveability, startability, metal compatibility and plastic compatibility, there are no issues,” the minister said in a statement.

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

When asked about any potential phase-out or retrofit programme for non-compliant vehicles has been announced, the minister said there would be no requirement for a phase-out or retrofit of non-compliant vehicles and the normal wear and tear can be managed during routine servicing regime of the vehicle, based on the recommendation of the study conducted by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Cooperation Limited (IOCL) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).