Govt. mandates sale of 20% ethanol-blended petrol with minimum RON 95 nationwide from April 1

The government has mandated the sale of petrol containing up to 20% ethanol and having a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 in all States and Union Territories from April 1, 2026.

“The central government directs oil companies to sell ethanol blended motor spirit (petrol) containing up to 20% ethanol as per the specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards and having a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 in the States and Union Territories,” the petroleum ministry said in a notification dated February 17.

The central government may allow exceptions in special cases, for certain regions and for a limited period of time.

Ethanol is made from sugar cane, corn or grain. It is renewable, domestically produced and burns cleaner than pure gasoline.

The government has mandated the blending of ethanol into gasoline to help both reduce oil imports and reduce emissions. Such a mandate also favors farmers as it increases demand for sugar cane, corn and agricultural surpluses.

Industry officials said most vehicles manufactured in India from 2023-2025 are designed to run on E20 and no major problems are expected.

However, older vehicles may experience a slight decrease in mileage (3-7%). The rubber/plastic component may also wear out.

The insistence on a minimum of 95 RON is to prevent engine damage.

RON or Research Octane Number is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to engine knock (pre-ignition). Knocking occurs when fuel burns unevenly within the engine, causing pinging noise, loss of power, and possible damage to the engine over time.

The higher the RON, the more resistant the fuel is to knocking.

In simple terms, octane is like fuel ‘self-regulating under pressure’; higher RON means the fuel remains stable under high compression.

Ethanol has a naturally high octane rating (about 108 RON). Mixing 20% ​​ethanol into gasoline increases knock resistance.

Encouraged by India achieving 10% ethanol blending in gasoline by June 2022 (five months ahead of the target date), the government has increased 20% blending from 2030 to 2025-26. Most pumps around the country now sell E20, or gasoline blended with 20 percent ethanol.

According to the petroleum ministry, India has saved more than Rs 1.40 lakh crore of foreign exchange through petrol substitution since 2014-15.