The Centre has moved to address concerns surrounding ethanol-blended petrol as India prepares for the possible introduction of E25 fuel, with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri dismissing the ongoing debate over E20 petrol as a “misinterpretation”.
Puri said there was no controversy surrounding ethanol-blended fuel and claimed that concerns raised about its impact on vehicles were not supported by evidence. He said automobile manufacturers and service providers had reported no problems with vehicles running on ethanol-blended petrol.
“There is no controversy. There has been some misrepresentation. There are 20 crore two-wheelers and 20 lakh four-wheelers on the road using this fuel (ethanol). Automobile manufacturers and those who service these vehicles say there is no difficulty. So why this sudden interest?” he told ANI.
The minister said India had already been using E15 fuel for the past three-and-a-half years and E20 petrol since April last year. He rejected suggestions that the government was moving quickly towards introducing higher ethanol blends, clarifying that tests for E25 fuel were still in progress.
“We have been using E15 for the last three-and-a-half years and E20 since April last year. If someone is suggesting that we are rushing to introduce E25, that is incorrect.
We have made it clear that tests are underway. Those tests will take time. Once the reports are available, we will evaluate them and then consult all stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers,” Puri said.
Addressing discussions on social media regarding E20 petrol, Puri said allegations about engine damage and other technical issues were not based on facts. He added that vehicle manufacturers had expressed confidence in vehicles designed to operate with E20 fuel.
“It is a misinterpretation and I don't want to use stronger words,” Puri said.
He added, “After all, I neither manufacture the cars nor the fuel. The car manufacturers are comfortable with E20. Each one of them has made a statement to that effect. Consumers also appreciate the product.”
The debate around E20 petrol gained momentum after concerns were raised over issues such as reduced mileage, possible engine damage and speculation regarding higher ethanol blending levels.
Puri reiterated that E20 fuel had been adopted nationwide since April last year and said any move towards increased blending would be considered only after completion of testing and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
He also said the rollout of E85 fuel had begun recently but would require additional time as more fuel stations and supporting infrastructure would need to be developed.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted the potential of hydrogen-powered mobility, saying he already uses hydrogen vehicles and that hydrogen-powered trucks and buses would soon become part of India's transport landscape.
Gadkari said he personally uses multiple alternative-fuel vehicles and encouraged wider adoption of hydrogen technology.
“I drive electric, flex-fuel and hydrogen vehicles; I have all three at home right now... Now, hydrogen trucks are arriving. I recently launched Tata's hydrogen-powered trucks—one running on a hydrogen fuel cell and another new one that uses an internal combustion (IC) engine modified to run on hydrogen. Now, hydrogen buses are coming too. I am running a pilot project in Nagpur: hydrogen will be produced, filled into buses, and the buses will run...” he said.
The minister said he owns all three categories of vehicles at his residence and invited people to experience the technology themselves.
“I have all three cars in my house. Those who have understood, come to my house after the program, and take a ride in all three cars. I travel in a hydrogen car. It is better than Mercedes,” Gadkari said, adding that his experience had strengthened his belief in hydrogen's future potential.
He said the government's focus was now expanding towards commercial transportation, with hydrogen-powered trucks and buses being developed and introduced.
“Now, hydrogen trucks are arriving. I recently launched Tata's hydrogen-powered trucks--one running on a hydrogen fuel cell and another new one that uses an internal combustion (IC) engine modified to run on hydrogen,” he said.
Gadkari also spoke about a pilot initiative in Nagpur aimed at developing hydrogen-based public transport.
“Now hydrogen buses are coming too. I am running a pilot project in Nagpur: hydrogen will be produced, filled into buses, and the buses will run,” Gadkari said.
“Hydrogen will be ready. We will fill it in the buses and the buses will run,” he added.
Gadkari has consistently advocated reducing dependence on fossil fuels to cut imports and emissions. At the conclave, he positioned hydrogen alongside ethanol and electric vehicles as part of India's broader transition towards alternative energy solutions.
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