Will E20 petrol damage the car engine? Must read for BS3 and BS4 car owners

Will E20 petrol damage the car engine? Must read for BS3 and BS4 car owners

by with No Comment Car Review

After the widespread use of E20 petrol (20% ethanol blended) started in India, the debate in the automobile world has intensified. Many videos and posts on social media are claiming that the engines of old cars will get damaged, there will be a huge drop in mileage and the fuel system will get damaged. But are these claims true? The answer is – it is not completely correct, but some problems have definitely arisen!

The purpose of E20 is to reduce oil imports, increase farmers' income and reduce pollution. Ethanol acts as an oxygenate, which keeps the combustion clean. However, questions are being raised on the compatibility of the fuel system in pre-2022 (especially pre-BS4) vehicles. In this article we will try to know the whole truth on the basis of scientific facts, engineering principles and workshop experience.

What is ethanol and why is it added to fuel?

Ethanol is an alcohol mainly produced from sugarcane or corn. The main reason for mixing it in petrol is to increase oxygen, which helps in better combustion of the fuel. This reduces harmful emissions and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

Ethanol is preferred in motorsport because it has a higher octane rating, lower combustion temperatures and easier tuning. E10 was being used in India for a long time, now E20 has become standard.

How does the engine work?

Every engine has a perfect air-fuel ratio (AFR). For pure petrol (E0) it is 14.7:1. For pure ethanol it is about 9:1. The AFR changes in the E20 blend, causing the ECU to slightly increase the amount of fuel. If the ECU does not adjust, the engine may lean (run on less fuel), causing temperatures to rise. But modern vehicles are capable of dealing with this problem.

BS4 or newer petrol cars have closed-loop fueling, oxygen sensors and an ECU that can adjust the injector pulse. Most ECUs make fuel corrections up to ±20%. E20 comes easily in this range. For example, in Brazil, E25-E27 have been running in common cars for years without any major problems.

BS4 standard had already made preparations for E10. Features ethanol-resistant hoses, seals and pumps. Headroom is always kept in engineering, so most BS4+ cars can be considered safe for E20.

Is 20% more fuel injected than E20?

no way. Pure ethanol contains about 34% less energy than petrol. E20 requires 6-7% more fuel than E0 (only 2-3% more than E10). The ECU handles this easily. The claims of 30-50% mileage drop are simply wrong. The actual decline may be around 2-3%.

Myth of Melting Rubber Fuel Line

Ethanol can affect old natural rubber or cheap hoses. But after 2010, most companies use resistant materials like FKM or NBR. BS4 has strengthened these changes. Due to engineering tolerances, E20 or even E30 is safe in most cases, unless your car is an older carbureted car.

Problem of clogged injectors

Deposits build up slowly in the injectors. These can malfunction due to bad fuel, short drives or carelessness. E20 also has a cleaning effect, which dissolves varnish and carbon. It works the same way as expensive fuel system cleaners. In poorly maintained vehicles, old deposits can loosen and cause temporary problems, but in regularly maintained vehicles this is beneficial.

Water separation: the real problem

Ethanol is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture. Phase separation in E20 can occur at 0.4% water, but it takes 3-5 weeks. This problem can occur in an unused, humid and empty vehicle. Fuel keeps circulating in daily running vehicles, hence the problem is less.

What problems can arise?

  • Slight 2-3% drop in mileage.
  • Slight problem in cold start in very cold weather.

The case of BS3 and carbureted cars

The material in BS3 vehicles is less tolerant. Hoses, seals and pumps can wear out rapidly over a long period of time. Carbureted engines run lean due to fixed jets, which can cause hesitation, poor starting and overheating. There is a high risk of corrosion in storage.

What to do BS3 Honors?

  1. Install ethanol-resistant hoses/seals (FKM/NBR).
  2. Richer re-jet the carb.
  3. Check/replace pump diaphragm and seals.
  4. Use stabilizer in storage, do not keep E20 for long periods.
  5. Clean jets/injectors regularly.
  6. Keep an eye on drivability.

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Leave E10 and E20, the government plans to sell petrol with 85% ethanol!

Leave E10 and E20, the government plans to sell petrol with 85% ethanol!

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There is going to be a big change in petrol in India. The government is soon going to launch E85 fuel, which will contain 85% ethanol. This will not only reduce oil imports but will also increase the income of farmers. The special thing is that the new flex-fuel vehicles will be able to run on any blend. Will your next car be on this technology? Know the benefits and effects of this big change.

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Government plans to sell petrol containing 85% ethanol!

The Indian government is preparing to roll out E85 petrol by the end of the current year, in which 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol will be mixed. This step is being taken with the aim of reducing expensive oil imports, ensuring energy security and increasing the income of farmers. Sources have revealed that this decision has been taken after several meetings and consultations with automobile manufacturers. Manufacturers have confirmed that they are fully equipped with the technology required to build flex-fuel vehicles.

E85 petrol contains 85 percent ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles can run on any blend – from E20 to E100. In these vehicles, onboard sensors automatically adjust fuel injection and ignition parameters. While buying the car, the customer will get the option as to which level of blended fuel he prefers. Multi-fuel policy will be implemented in India, in which different levels of petrol mixes will be available at petrol pumps. Currently E20 (20 percent ethanol blend) petrol is available across the country, which has become mandatory from April 2026. E85 will be sold along with existing low-blend petrol.

Complete preparation for BIS

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has already prepared standards for E85 petrol. Blenders and refiners will have to follow these specifications. BIS is also aiming to release standards for E22, E25 and E26 by April 30, which will be for petrol with 22%, 25% and 26% ethanol respectively. High ethanol blending will save on oil import and increase the income of farmers. Fuel blending programs are already saving up to $4 billion annually.

In 2021, the Modi government had decided to bring the E20 target to 2025, which was achieved in July 2025. Automobile companies are all set to launch flex-fuel cars, which emit much less carbon. In the coming days, some vehicles of Maruti Wagon R, Tata Punch and Toyota can be introduced with flex fuel.

Why E85?

The Indian government is giving preference to E85 because it is a more practical and scientifically better option than E100 (100% ethanol). Ethanol has about 30-35% lower energy density than petrol, which reduces mileage. Cold starts are a problem on E100 because ethanol has a high vaporization point. Starting the engine becomes difficult in cold weather.

Mixing 15% petrol in E85 reduces this problem, vapor pressure remains better and the engine starts smoothly. Additionally, E85 is easily adapted to flex-fuel vehicles, while E100 may require an additional heater or smaller gasoline tank. This mixture provides a balanced way to increase energy safety and farmer's income with less corrosion in the engine, better compatibility and lower emissions.

Brazil is a great example

Brazil launched the world's most mature flex-fuel program in 2003, with the majority of new cars being flex-fueled. These cars run on blends up to E100 and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent compared to fossil petrol. Ethanol is made from sugarcane syrup (molasses), which is a by-product of sugar refining. India is the second largest sugar producer in the world.

About the Author

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Ram Mohan MishraSenior Sub Editor

Ram Mohan Mishra, working as Senior Sub-Editor at News18 Hindi, is active in digital media since 2021 and is currently handling the Auto Desk. They provide car and bike related information in an easy, clear and reliable manner.read more

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New Delhi,New Delhi,Delhi

First Published:

April 24, 2026, 11:08 IST



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What will be the benefit of mixing 20% ​​ethanol in petrol, when will India become carbon neutral? know everything

What will be the benefit of mixing 20% ​​ethanol in petrol, when will India become carbon neutral? know everything

by with No Comment Car Review

New Delhi. The Government of India has set a target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol next year and is considering taking steps towards taking forward the plan of ethanol blending thereafter. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, while emphasizing on ethanol blending at the CII Bioenergy Summit on Monday, said that for carbon neutrality we will have to reduce our dependence on petrol. Puri said that after completing the plan of 20% ethanol blending in 2025, it will be taken forward.

The Government of India has set the deadline to become carbon neutral by 2070. For this, not only has a target been set to reduce emissions from common vehicles running on petrol and diesel, but there is also a plan to reduce emissions in the transport and aviation industries.

The target will be accomplished in 2025 instead of 2030
The government had earlier pledged to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030, but later targeted to achieve this by 2025-26. Currently the ethanol mix in petrol is around 15%, which was just 1.5% in 2014.

Effect of ethanol blending on vehicles
Due to the hygroscopic nature of ethanol, it can affect some rubber components inside the engine. There have been many cases of engine parts getting damaged due to ethanol blended petrol in BS-4 vehicles. But in engines built on E20 (20% ethanol blended fuel) fuel, its effect is likely to be negligible. Petrol-powered vehicles can run smoothly on 10% ethanol blend, but some minor adjustments may be required for 20% ethanol blend. Engines of vehicles manufactured nowadays are coming with 20% ethanol compatibility.

Dependence on imports will reduce
Another reason for the government to promote ethanol blending is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. This is promoting energy improvement. Consumption of ethanol by oil marketing companies has also increased the income of sugarcane and maize farmers.

Foreign exchange savings and environmental benefits
Puri said, “From 2014 to 2024, foreign exchange savings stood at Rs 1.6 lakh crore. CO2 emissions decreased by 544 lakh metric tons. Crude oil import was 181 lakh metric tons. “OMC paid Rs 1.5 lakh crore to distilleries and Rs 90,059 crore was paid to farmers.”

To ensure adequate ethanol supply for the ethanol blending programme, the government has introduced several measures such as subsidies for setting up distilleries and allowing different feedstocks to promote ethanol production.

Tags: auto news, Petrol and diesel

FIRST PUBLISHED: October 15, 2024, 17:30 IST

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