Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has addressed rising concerns about E20 petrol. In a recent interview, he answered questions about lower mileage, claims of vehicle damage, and the rollout of ethanol-blended fuel across India.

Nitin Gadkari On E20 Petrol Row

One of the key topics discussed was whether E20 petrol results in lower fuel efficiency. Gadkari said ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol, which naturally creates a difference in mileage. However, he explained that the impact is generally less noticeable in city driving and may be more evident during sustained highway runs.

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Responding to claims that he had only recently acknowledged the issue, Nitin Gadkari said he has always maintained that petrol and ethanol have different calorific values, making it a technical matter. He also addressed complaints from some vehicle owners about lower mileage, fuel pump failures, and other issues after switching to E20 petrol. Gadkari said these complaints should first be checked by authorised service centres before blaming ethanol for the problems.

Key Questions & Answers from Nitin Gadkari’s Interview

Q. How Does E20 Petrol Impact Vehicle Mileage??

A: Gadkari said ethanol contains less energy than petrol, which can lead to slightly lower mileage in vehicles using E20 petrol. He added that the difference is easier to notice during highway driving, while city drivers may not see much change in fuel efficiency.

Q. What should owners do if they suspect E20 has reduced their vehicle’s mileage?

A: He advised vehicle owners to first get their vehicles inspected at an authorised dealership. If a genuine problem is found, they should file a complaint with the vehicle manufacturer and also report the issue to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through its official website.

Q. How Should Drivers Handle Mileage Issues After Switching to E20 Petrol?

A: Gadkari said that his ministry has not received any verified complaint showing that ethanol-blended petrol has caused damage to vehicles.

Q. Why Was the E20 Petrol Rollout Advanced?

A: He said increased availability of ethanol helped India speed up the rollout of ethanol-blended petrol. The main goals were to reduce crude oil imports, cut emissions, and support farmers by increasing their income.

Q. Why Is the ARAI E20 Report Still Not Public?

A: Gadkari said the report has not been kept secret and has been shared with government departments and the automobile industry. He added that people can also request the report through the RTI process.

Q. Why Are Petrol Prices Still High Despite Ethanol Blending?

A: Gadkari clarified that petrol prices and ethanol blending policies come under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

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Q. Does E20 Petrol Affect Older Cars and Bikes?

A: Gadkari said vehicle manufacturers conduct detailed testing before approving the use of ethanol-blended fuels. He added that any claims of vehicle damage should first be checked through authorised service centres before blaming E20 petrol for the issue.

Q. What Was Gadkari’s Response to Claims Involving His Family’s Business?

A: He rejected allegations that his family’s business has gained major benefits from ethanol. Gadkari said ethanol contributes less than 10% of the group’s total turnover and warned that false claims could result in defamation action.

Q. Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Potholes: What Led to Road Damage?

A: Gadkari said the issue occurred because a drainage connection was incomplete due to pending land acquisition. He explained that heavy rainfall caused water to collect on the road, and the damaged section was repaired afterward.

Q. What Did Nitin Gadkari Say About Informing People About E20 Petrol?

A: Yes. Towards the end of the interview, Gadkari acknowledged that people could have been informed better about the rollout of E20 petrol. However, he added that government notifications and cabinet decisions related to the move had already been made public.