E20 Adoption Grows Across India, Minister Defends Blend Amid Backlash

The central government’s push for higher ethanol content in gasoline continues unabated, with the E20 blend now in regular use across the country. The petroleum minister responded to mounting opposition by reiterating that the fuel has undergone extensive laboratory and field testing, meeting both national and international safety standards.

He highlighted that the transition from E15 in 2023 to E19 last year, and now to E20, has been executed without any significant operational setbacks. More than 20 crore two‑wheelers and 2 million four‑wheelers have been successfully running on this mixture, proving its reliability.

The minister linked recent anti‑ethanol sentiment to the launch of E85 flex‑fuel vehicles on June 5, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sow doubt. He underscored India’s heavy reliance on imported crude oil—over 85 percent—and stressed that each litre of ethanol blended into petrol reduces that import requirement, bolsters energy security, and supports the agricultural sector.

He also reminded listeners that the ethanol program was initiated by the earlier government and has become a vital component of India’s strategy to mitigate geopolitical risks and volatile global oil prices.