Ethanol will assess the ethanol combination scheme before setting high targets: Tel Min Puri

Ethanol will assess the ethanol combination scheme before setting high targets: Tel Min Puri

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By: Sameer Fij Contractor
, updated on: 17 September 2025, 13:06 pm

The statement comes between the Baclash from the vehicle owners on the E20 fuel harmful engines, reducing fuel efficiency and there is no decrease in fuel prices.

All fuel stations across the country are now retail petrol with 20 percent ethanol mixture, which has promoted backlash from vehicle owners on low efficiency and high wear and tears.

For Central Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister has said that the government will “assess” the ethanol combination program before setting high targets. The statement comes between the Baclash from the vehicle owners on the E20 fuel harmful engines, reducing fuel efficiency and there is no decrease in fuel prices. While the government has said that 20 percent of the ethanol mixed with petrol is safe to use environmentally, vehicle users otherwise believe.

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No plans to jump for high mixed ethanol fuel: Puri

Speaking in an incident recently, Puri said, “We had a target of 20 percent conclusion – for which the target date was 2030, and we have done it six years ago. I will put a full break there; we will assess where we have to go. You hear all the stories that we are going to learn now, etc.

He added, “All stories that you hear about bio fuel, are harmful to the engine, a lot of 'BS' – 'B' Capital, 'S' are capital. And I don't know what it means, but it is a special.”

There were reports of the government's plan to go to 27 percent ethanol mixture in petrol. A recent report also suggested that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was directed to come up with criteria for E27 fuel on priority. Now it seems that the plan to introduce it for the same time will be delayed.

Hardeep Singh Puri
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that all stories call biofuels harmful (PTI)

The government has made the use of E20 petrol mandatory in all fuel pumps across the country, which has promoted backlash from vehicle users. Motor drivers have complained about fuel damage to engine, with increased wear and tear due to corrosive nature of ethanol. Vehicle owners have fallen by 15–20 percent in fuel efficiency on older vehicles, which were not designed to run on E20 fuel. In contrast, the government claims that the decline in fuel efficiency is just 1-2 percent.

There are questions about the impact of ethanol at the price of fuel, and there is no decrease in fuel prices despite the high ethanol mixture. Fuel prices have been largely stable in the last three years.

There are also concerns about the production of ethanol, which requires water-intensive crops. However, the government says that 20 percent ethanol extract from sugarcane or maize is a national program aimed at cutting emissions and increasing the income of farmers.

Bio fuel required to reduce dependence on oil imports

Puri said that the percentage of mixed ethanol in petrol in 2014 was 1.4 percent. It has increased to 20 percent in the last decade. The Ministry of Oil has also rejected the apprehensions about the use of E20, calling the claims baseless. Puri said that some older vehicles may need to replace some rubber parts and gaskets, it may be called a “simple process”.

The government has been vocal about the plan to introduce a high mixture of ethanol in fuel to reduce dependence on crude oil imports. Puri said that India is 88 percent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs, bio fuel and cleaner energy is called “imperatives of that time”.

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First published date: 17 September 2025, 13:06 pm IST

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Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging E20 petrol rollout

Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging E20 petrol rollout

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The Supreme Court has rejected a pile that challenged the rollout of E20 petrol across India.

The Supreme Court has rejected a pile that challenged the rollout of E20 petrol across India. (PTI)

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The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a pilot, which challenged the rollout of 20 percent ethanol-mental petrol across India, popularly known as E20 petrol. The apex court has supported the government's clean energy push to reduce crude oil imports and reduce vehicles emissions. PIL sought an option for ethanol-free petrol for consumers with E20 at fuel stations.

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In its judgment, the Supreme Court has observed that the government's decision is in line with its large energy security and environmental goals, including reducing dependence on crude oil imports and cutting vehicles emissions. With this decision of the Apex Court, the E20 petrol will continue to be adopted nationwide, marking an important step in India's clean fuel infection.

Advocate Akshay Malhotra filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court a few days ago. A direction was demanded for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) to ensure availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations. PIL has also sought a direction to the authorities to essentially label the ethanol material on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, causing consumers to be clearly visible to consumers, and also to ensure that consumers are informed about the ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel distribution.

The argument further states that authorities should be directed to study a nationwide impact on mechanical decline and efficiency loss due to ethanol-wise fuel to the extent of 20 percent of the use in non-non-transport vehicles. The PIL said that millions of motorists were being left helpless at fuel stations and were forced to buy fuel that could not handle several of their vehicles. Car and two-wheelers manufactured before 2023, and even some new BS6 models, are not compatible with such E20 petrol, the petition states. It also exposed the loss to the engine and a decline in mileage, amidst other results of the move. PTI said, “To ensure that consumers are informed about the ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel distribution.”

PIL claims that engine is suffering from rust, fuel efficiency is falling, and repair bills are increasing, while insurance companies are rejecting the claims of damage caused by ethanol fuel. It explained how global practices had a rapid variation and said that in the US and the European Union, ethanol-free petrol was still widely available, and the pumps clearly displayed ethanol materials for consumers to make an informed option. In India, however, only ethanol-mixed fuel is sold, in dispensing units without any revelations without any composition.

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First published date: 01 September 2025, 13:36 pm IST

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E20 Petrol: Good, Bad and Better. Conclusion from a real study

E20 Petrol: Good, Bad and Better. Conclusion from a real study

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As we have already reported, automobile engineers working with various major vehicle manufacturers have already accepted that the E20 fuel will cause fuel efficiency fall between two to five percent on the basis of vehicles. He has also admitted that various components of vehicles are at risk of damage, but it will be in long periods, not immediately.

Meanwhile, no vehicle manufacturer has come up with facts or realistic conclusions of the effect of E20. This has further increased the concern of the vehicle owners. Meanwhile, a Bangalore -based vehicle tuning company Hormonixx Tuning has come up with its conclusions, which explains the impact of E20 in a detailed manner.

Since October 2020, the firm has claimed to have a large -scale ethanol mixed fuel testing. According to him, if you are the owner of a car produced after 2015 and it is fuel-injected, there is nothing to worry about. It comes into contradiction with the notion that widely spread that vehicles manufactured after 2023 are unsafe to see damage in their important powertrain components. In addition, no one is paying attention to the fact that E20 is not being sold at fuel stations around us suddenly. The only ruckus is that the government has announced that India has achieved the target of E20 five years before the original time limit of 2030. The reality is that ethanol mixed petrol has been sold across the country for a long time. Ethanol material in motor fuel is gradually increased.

Petrol sold in India before 2021 was jointly jointly to help identify other adatives such as injector cleaner, octane booster, dye with fuel, detergent, etc., while the Central Government's proposal to mix ethanol in petrol was started in September 2002, once started after Ethi Alcohol. The first ethanol mixture recorded in India was with power 99, with E07-E08 (seven to eight percent ethanol mixture) and XP95 at the end of 2022, which was E05 in April 2023.

Now, except for history and timelines, let's come to the advantages and disadvantages of ethanol mixed petrol.

Ethanol mixed petrol: What's good about it?

While the government is lobbying for ethanol combination and cited several reasons including low import bills, low dependence on crude oil and low cost of fuel, let's focus only on technical aspects, not economic.

There may not be regular fuel for ethanol vehicles, as we know in India so far, but it has some advantages that are mixed in petrol. Ethanol has much more research octane number (RON) rating compared to petrol. Due to additional ron, ethanol has high knock resistance than regular petrol. It also helps in reducing the emissions of the charge temperature, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC). It helps reduce soot formation, which is a deep black powder or flawed substance with large -scale unaccredited carbon, which is produced by incomplete burns of organic materials.

Ethanol mixed petrol: What about it?

It is not that ethanol has only advantages, but using mixed petrol with it also comes with lots of disadvantages. Ethanol has a very low energy density than regular petrol. This means, you need to burn about 33 percent more fuel to achieve the same power, which is why you are seeing a decline in your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Using E10 fuel and in terms of E20, this fuel economy may fall between three to four percent, it can be between six to eight percent depending on several factors.

In older vehicles, materials used for most non-fuel-injected, rubber hoses, gaskets, seals, etc., may not be as durable as later due to the use of E20. In such cases, vehicle owners must choose the option of replacement of those parts. However, with the aging of the vehicle, replacement of different parts is common anyway, as they become brittle over time. It is without cares or whether pure petrol is used or fuel is mixed.

Another major disadvantage of ethanol is its hygroscopic nature, which means it can absorb moisture or water. If the ethanol-mixed fuel comes in contact with water, the ethanol completely mixes with water. If the water enters the engine, piston can compress ethanol but cannot compress the water. In this way there may be a hydrock. However, hydrolrocking is extremely rare.

Ethanol can cause trouble when starting the engine in a very cold climate. However, this can happen when the engine is being run on high ethanol mixtures, such as more than E50. In most parts of India, such a temperature is not common. In addition, India has just reached 20 percent fuel combination threshold.

E20 Petrol: Which engines can run safely on it?

Almost all naturally aspirated petrol engine (Post -2018).

If you are the owner of a car that is more than 2015, it is already a decade old, meaning that you should do preventive maintenance anyway. These include injector replacement, fuel filters and fuel pump changes, as well as the place of hoses, gaskets and seals, which will wear naturally over time. The tuning firm claims that almost all naturally aspirated petrol engines built after 2015 can run safely on E20 fuel.

Just make sure that you maintain maintenance by the vehicle manufacturer. Also, practice preventive maintenance if necessary. Some of preventive maintenance include changing engine oil every 4,000 km when using mineral oil. In case of synthetic oil, replace oil every 7,500–8,000 km. Also, change spark plugs after every 15,000–20,000 km every 15,000–20,000 km.

E20 Petrol: Should you be worried?

The tuning firm claims that if the car is manufactured after 2015 and it is fuel-injected, there is nothing to worry. The ECU of the vehicle is smart sufficient to adjust fuel trims accordingly, and will maintain the air -complex ratio (AFR), it has been programmed for the target.

Social media propagation is just – publicity. The affects are telling you the negative aspects of E20 and ethanol, possibly there is no technical knowledge about the internal combustion engine (Ice). Using E20, your engine cannot die. The only real negative side is a decline in fuel efficiency.

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First published date: 25 August 2025, 13:55 pm IST

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Our focus is not export, but to meet local requirements: Mercedes-Benz India MD

Our focus is not export, but to meet local requirements: Mercedes-Benz India MD

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By: Part phase
, updated on: 18 August 2025, 13:12 pm

Santosh Iyer, MD of Mercedes-Benz India, talked about the recent bounce about EV growth, trump tariffs and the benefits of entering the market.

Santosh Iyer, MD of Mercedes-Benz India, talked about the recent bounce about EV growth, trump tariffs and the benefits of entering the market.

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Santosh Iyer, MD of Mercedes-Benz India, is carefully optimistic about India's entry into the EV market. The recent launch of CLE 53 AMG speaking-a 449hp, straight-six petrol-operated sports coupes which are 10th AMG model in the brand's India Line-up-Ayer blamed the stable yoy development of EVS for several reasons, including the availability of a comprehensive range and expansion of retail touch points across the country. “Today, only 30% of India's customers sell touch points in any form. And this growth is 10%, so there are more customers who are now educated about EVS, and this driving is developing”.

The EVS has seen widespread acceptance in the luxury market, the higher class offering luxury EVS, due to TCOs which are equal or less than ice counterparts and have smooth and silent nature of EV powertrain. “8-9% of the market entry into the luxury segment,” Iyer says, avoiding guessing what will be the entry into the luxury EV market by 2030. “We do not want to put a number or a target in terms of entry into the estimated market by 2030. Determine the speed of change,” Iyer says. “The first cycle of EV ownership needs to be fulfilled to gain confidence for more customers”

On Tesla's arrival

Mercedes-Benz India-Paljari EV is surprised by the arrival of Tesla, one of the leading players in the Space. “The price point at which the Tesla operates, we work in single digits in the section, because our sales mainly come from above 60 million sections. It goes up all the way 7-8 crores, so we feel untouched. Not from the perspective of the volume, “accepts Iyer, due to innovation that American EV manufacturers are currently enjoying.

Iyer also admits that while the current mode of Tesla's operation (via the CBU route) will not enrich the local EV supply chain in any significant way, it helps to promote the image of EVS. “I think, even with two outlets, you have a lot of people and are examining Teslas.

At ethanol combination

With public sentiment around the ownership of the car due to the government's new E20 fuel mandate, Iyer feels that the luxury section remains relatively unaffected because most luxury brands, as Mercedes-Benz, brought E20 compatibility throughout their portfolio before the mandate was set. “Mass market segment is highly price sensitive, so car manufacturer does a car engineer for the need of the day, while the luxury segment, you can engineer it for tomorrow”

However, public anxiety remains not only around the current mixture of petrol, but also the assumption that the sale of ahead of E27 can affect the sale of snow vehicles, close to 2030. Iyer, however, rejects the perception. “I think the policy makers are clear that the E20 is maximum and anything more than that will be implemented in a selective manner. E100, for example, cannot be from a technical point of view”. Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that Iyer's statement came a day ago that the future of fuel would be 100% ethanol. However, the central government has not announced any clear roadmap towards the E27 level combination at this time. Iyer says, “Before we introduced a BSVI-influence fleet, we engineered our cars for low fuel ratings,” saying that the government was very clear about implementing 20% ethanol mixture in petrol sold across the country. “Everyone knows that E20 is coming. Does everyone engineer their cars on the basis of that requirement? Can't be the answer.

Mercedes-Benz became a more integral part of the global supply chain

Asked if the brand is somehow affected by the American tariff, Iyer remained optimistic. “I think the tariff position can be seen in both ways. I would say that on one hand we have US tariffs, but also positive results. India is actively discussing an FTA with Europe. We have an FTA with UK, Australia and Middle East (UAE). If you see the opportunity there, it's big if it is big”

“There is a lot of noise about the import of cars to be imported, but I would say that there is a big opportunity for the export of components in other markets. Because India's component ecosystem is very mature and capable. We need to see what is necessary for us for localization in India. For example, in e-class, all glass components on the vehicle are localized”.

Does this mean that Mercedes-Benz India has intended to export components as it has been in the past, as well as with a locally built GLC model, which was being briefly exported to markets like America? “Our plant is designed for India and dedicated to India; it is a manufacturing set-up. Our focus is not on exports. We are designed to meet local needs”

(Partha Charan is an independent motor vehicle journalist and writer who has written on cars, motorcycles and motor vehicle industry for the last 12 years. He lives in Mumbai.)

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First published date: 18 August 2025, 13:12 pm IST

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Yamaha shifts greener motorcycle strategy in favour of ethanol, not EVs

Yamaha shifts greener motorcycle strategy in favour of ethanol, not EVs

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By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 11 Apr 2024, 07:18 AM

  • Yamaha India is aiming to focus on flex-fuel engine technology while the Indian two-wheeler industry is increasingly emphasising on electric mobility.
Yamaha India is aiming to focus on flex-fuel engine technology while the Indian two-wheeler industry is increasingly emphasising on electric mobility.

While the two-wheeler manufacturers in India are thriving for electric mobility, Yamaha India is aiming big with ethanol-based flex fuels, reported Mint. This comes as a more conservative approach towards greener mobility, considering the peers are focusing on pure electric two-wheelers. The report has quoted Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India, saying that anticipating a 0 per cent adoption rate for electric scooters by the end of this decade, the company is betting on a holistic approach to cleaner emission technologies and this strategy will be led by ethanol-based flex fuels.

Chihana stated that the OEM’s primary strategy to meet its emissions targets revolves around flex-fuel (E85) options for motorcycles, acknowledging the global shift towards sustainable fuels. He also stated that this strategy will help the OEM avoid the infrastructural and technological challenges of full electrification. This shift of strategy comes in line with the government’s focus on cleaner mobility solutions, which also include flex-fuel engines propelled by ethanol-blended petrol.

Interestingly, Yamaha India’s Chairman’s comment comes immediately after the former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant called for full electrification of the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment by 2030. Instead of focusing on pure electric propulsion tch, Chihana advocated for technologies like ethanol-blended fuels to achieve the country’s emission targets.

Considering the current market share of electric scooters at five to six per cent Yamaha India expects EVs to grow to 20 per cent of the scooter market in India by 2030, he said. “While 20 per cent of the market will become EV, 70-80 per cent will remain internal combustion engine. So, our Target 2030 is while we prepare for EVs, we will certainly increase our step-up models with ICE engines. We are preparing, but we are not in a hurry. Our focus remains on developing our premium motorcycle dealership network and targeting the younger generation with our urban, sporty motorcycles. Our first priority is to establish premium motorcycle dealerships across India,” he further added.

Speaking further, the Yamaha official said that despite the high petrol prices driving faster adoption of electric scooters, consumer behaviour remains largely unaffected due to usage patterns and infrastructure challenges. Interestingly, despite emphasising its intention to focus on flex-fuel engines, Yamaha plans to introduce two electric scooters by 2030. Besides that, the OEM intends to enhance its premium motorcycle strategy and distribution network as well over the next six years, Chihana said.

First Published Date: 11 Apr 2024, 07:18 AM IST


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