Some BS-III vehicles may need rubber parts replaced for E20 fuel, says Gadkari

Some Bharat Stage (BS)-III vehicles introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016 may require replacement of certain rubber parts and gaskets when operated on E20 petrol, Road Transport and Highways Minister informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Gadkari said extensive studies conducted by Ltd (IOCL), the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found no need to modify engines of either cars or two-wheelers for the use of .

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According to the minister, the studies showed that even older vehicles did not experience any significant changes in performance or abnormal wear and tear after operating on petrol blended with 20% ethanol.

“No issues were reported in parameters such as drivability, startability, metal compatibility, and plastic compatibility,” Gadkari said.

“Only in case of testing done on introduced from 1st April, 2005, and manufactured prior to 2016, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement, which can be easily managed during routine servicing regime of the vehicle,” he added.

Addressing concerns over fuel efficiency, Gadkari said automobile manufacturers and vehicle-testing agencies had clarified that mileage depends on multiple factors and cannot be attributed solely to the use of E20 fuel.

The minister said an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), constituted by NITI Aayog on December 26, 2020, had comprehensively examined as well as mileage and efficiency aspects of . The committee’s assessment was supported by studies carried out by IOCL, ARAI and SIAM.

Its report, Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, released in June 2021, examined material compatibility, engine calibration, fuel systems, drivability, durability, emissions and fuel efficiency after consultations with automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and agricultural experts. The report was prepared ahead of the rollout of E20 fuel.

The clarification comes amid criticism from opposition parties and consumer groups over the nationwide introduction of E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. Critics have questioned the compatibility of older vehicles with the higher ethanol blend, raised concerns about possible reductions in fuel efficiency and increased maintenance costs, and sought clarity on liability in the event of engine or fuel-system damage.

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The government has maintained that the transition has been phased and backed by extensive scientific testing, while automobile manufacturers have said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles using E20 fuel.

Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a “phased, calibrated, scientifically validated and consultative approach.”

He noted that ethanol-blended fuel has been used globally for over a century, with countries such as Brazil operating on even higher ethanol blends for decades.

In India, the EBP programme began with a pilot project in 2001, followed by the introduction of E5 petrol in 2006. Ethanol blending remained at around 1.53% until 2013-14 before being progressively increased alongside expansion of production capacity, infrastructure and the regulatory framework.

Before the rollout of E20 petrol in April 2026, the government undertook extensive laboratory studies, durability trials and field validation covering engine durability, material compatibility, fuel systems, corrosion resistance, drivability, emissions, fuel economy and overall vehicle performance.

Bharat Stage (BS) norms are India’s emission standards that regulate pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter emitted by vehicles.