Indian automakers say ethanol fuel hurts mileage but is safe, as motorists complain
By Aditi Shah
New Delhi (Reuters) -India’s use of fuel blended with 20% ethanol will hurt the kilometer of a vehicle by 2-4%, but it is safe to use, a lobbying group representing the country’s automobile manufacturers aimed to increase drivers’ concerns in the world’s largest automobile market.
India, as part of the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on clean energy, has set 2025 targets for 20% ethanol blending in the fuel called E20. However, in recent weeks, almost all fuel stations has become the only option, and vehicle performance and durability between drivers have caused Furore, especially on the effect of old vehicles.
Using the E20 fuel in old vehicles reduces the mileage, but not a security risk, the General Manager of Indian Automobile Producers Association (SIAM) General Manager PK BANENEREE, on Saturday late on Saturday, a news event in New Delhi told reporters.
“Millions of vehicles have been circulating in E20 for a while. A single vehicle breakdown or engine failure has not been reported.” He said.
Siam represents large automobile manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors and Toyota Motor.
On the stage, more than a dozen managers from automobile companies, fuel retailers and industrial groups were present and discussed questions from the media at the event of India’s ethanol -blended gasoline program.
BANERJEE said that a 50% decline in fuel efficiency was unfounded and misinformed. He said that the scientific studies carried out in a controlled environment were decreased by 2-% and that it brought a number to a decrease for the first time.
However, using in real world conditions can contribute to higher mileage decreases due to various factors.
“The executive committee of Maruti Suzuki, the largest car manufacturer of India, CV Raman said,” It may be very different due to the way the vehicles are protected and applied, so the difference will be there. ” He said.
India has gradually used E20 fuel since 2023, while old mixtures such as E5 and E10, which are typically more compatible with old vehicles, have been presented.
However, these old fuel mixtures have now been removed from almost all of the country’s 90,000 fuel stations and left the drivers to only one option – a possible decision to change.
In recent weeks, worried drivers went to social media about large fuel efficiency decreases and concerns about the confusing expressions of car manufacturers. Automobile manufacturers said that the E20 fuel was not tested in terms of compatibility with old vehicles, but then it was safe to use it.
