The government stated that it will not offer options for pure gasoline or lower ethanol blends instead of E20, as this is deemed unfeasible despite public demands for the right to choose between 100% gasoline and E10.
Reasons for Rejecting Fuel Variety
The Ministry of Petroleum explained that maintaining parallel nationwide supply chains would increase logistical costs and complicate distribution across more than one hundred thousand retail outlets. Furthermore, gas stations would be unable to offer multiple fuel types, such as pure gasoline, E10, and E20.
Advantages of the E20 Standard
The Ministry of Petroleum emphasized that E20 possesses a higher octane rating, excellent anti-knock characteristics, ensures faster combustion, improves dynamics, and promotes cleaner engine operation. The official statement noted that after scientific confirmation, extensive testing, and adoption by the automotive industry of the superior fuel, the goal should be confident progress, not a retreat to a less quality standard.
Implementation Process and Industry Support
Before launching E20 fuel, the government conducted several consultations with automobile manufacturers, technical experts, testing agencies, and other stakeholders. The Ministry clarified that car manufacturers would never support a product or guarantee their vehicles if they were not completely satisfied with the results.
India reached 20% ethanol blending in gasoline in April 2025, and currently, E20 is the standard gasoline option nationwide. The government also rejected the idea of reverting to E10 fuel because specialized ethanol plants, distilleries, storage facilities, and logistics networks have been established to meet the blending targets, supported by bank loans amounting to about 1 lakh crore rupees.
Economic and Environmental Aspects
The Ministry noted that consumer interests must be balanced with energy security, environmental sustainability, farmer welfare, and the prudent use of national resources. It was also pointed out that ethanol was procured at a price of about 72 rupees per liter—a favorable price for supporting farmers, making E20 more expensive to produce than pure gasoline. However, it was added that E20 gasoline would become cheaper than regular fuel if crude oil prices rise to the level of $120–$130 per barrel, as observed during the peak of the Middle East conflict.
E20 Operational Results
The Ministry mentioned that India's largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, serviced 15 million 'older vehicles not certified for E20' during the 2025–26 period and found no signs of corrosion, abnormal wear, or component damage related to E20. A similar operational experience was reported by the two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp. The government stated that if E20 truly damaged rubber components, fuel lines, or engines, the country would see millions of warranty claims, widespread component failures, and a flood of complaints.
Furthermore, concerns regarding vehicles marked as 'E10 compatible' were dispelled, as they do not become unsafe simply because fuel standards evolve following extensive scientific testing, engineering verification, and regulatory approval.