India’s ambitious push for greener fuel has sparked heated debate, but Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is standing firm. On August 8, 2025, at the Business Today India@100 Summit, Gadkari boldly defended the E20 ethanol-blended petrol program, challenging critics to produce a single case of vehicle damage caused by the 20% ethanol blend. Citing rigorous testing and international success stories like Brazil, he touted the program’s benefits—slashing emissions, cutting oil imports, and boosting farmers’ incomes. Yet, consumer concerns about mileage drops and vehicle compatibility linger. Here’s the full story, crafted exclusively for BharatTone.com, diving into this fiery controversy shaking up India’s roads.

Gadkari’s Challenge: Show Me One Damaged Vehicle

Gadkari didn’t hold back at the summit, dismissing claims that E20 fuel harms vehicles as “misinformation” fueled by vested interests, possibly the petroleum lobby. “Show me one vehicle anywhere in the world that had problems because of E20 petrol!” he declared, emphasizing that no complaints have been reported despite widespread use across India. Backed by endorsements from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Gadkari pointed to extensive testing showing E20’s safety. Vehicles, both carbureted and fuel-injected, were driven 100,000 kilometers on E20, with performance checks every 10,000 kilometers revealing “no statistically significant differences” in power, torque, or efficiency compared to regular petrol.

The minister also drew on Brazil’s decades-long success with ethanol blends, noting that the country even uses 100% ethanol in some vehicles without issues. “If Brazil can do it, why can’t we?” he asked, framing India’s E20 rollout as a step toward global best practices. With India set to hit its 20% blending target in two months, Gadkari’s confidence is rooted in data and ambition.

The Bigger Picture: Economic and Environmental Gains

Beyond defending E20’s safety, Gadkari highlighted its transformative impact. The program, launched in 2001 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aims to reduce India’s ₹22 lakh crore fossil fuel import bill and curb vehicular emissions. Since 2014, ethanol blending has saved over ₹1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange while channeling ₹1.20 lakh crore to farmers through ethanol procurement.

Farmers are a big winner here. Gadkari noted that corn prices have soared from ₹1,200 to ₹2,600 per quintal due to ethanol demand, boosting rural incomes and encouraging crop diversification toward energy production. Sugarcane-based ethanol cuts lifecycle emissions by 65%, and maize-based ethanol by 50%, aligning with India’s climate goals. With a higher octane rating (~108.5 vs. petrol’s 84.4), E20 also enhances engine efficiency in modern vehicles.

Consumer Concerns: Mileage and Compatibility Woes

Despite Gadkari’s assurances, not everyone’s on board. Social media, especially X, is buzzing with complaints about E20’s impact. Users report mileage drops, with some claiming losses as high as 15–20% in older vehicles. A LocalCircles survey of over 36,000 vehicle owners found that two-thirds of those with pre-2023 models reported fuel efficiency declines, with 11% noting over 20% drops. One X user fumed, “Ethanol-blended petrol is fleecing customers—same price, less mileage, and faster engine wear.”

Experts confirm ethanol’s lower energy density (30% less than petrol) can reduce mileage by 1–2% in newer E20-calibrated vehicles and 3–6% in older ones. Older models, built before April 2023, may also face wear on rubber components like gaskets and fuel hoses due to ethanol’s hygroscopic nature, which absorbs water and can cause corrosion. One car owner reported insect damage to rubber hoses, blaming ethanol’s scent—a rare but alarming issue.

The government counters that corrosion inhibitors and E20-compatible materials, mandatory in vehicles since April 2023, mitigate these risks. Routine maintenance, like replacing rubber parts after 20,000–30,000 kilometers, is advised for older vehicles. Still, consumers argue that these costs, combined with no price break at the pump despite ethanol’s lower production cost (₹61 vs. ₹95 per litre for petrol in Delhi), feel like a raw deal.

Lessons from Brazil and the Road Ahead

Gadkari’s nod to Brazil highlights a key difference: Brazil offers flex-fuel vehicles and consumer choice between ethanol blends or pure petrol. India’s one-size-fits-all E20 rollout has sparked calls for similar options. “Give us ethanol-free petrol, even if it costs more,” one X user demanded. Gadkari acknowledged India’s transition is still “nascent” compared to Brazil’s 80-year ethanol journey, estimating 7–8 years for full stability.

The Petroleum Ministry insists the rollout, guided by the 2020–25 Ethanol Blending Roadmap, wasn’t rushed. Carmakers are now producing E20-compliant vehicles, and trials for 27% ethanol blends are underway, though no timeline is set. Gadkari also dismissed personal allegations of vested interests tied to his family’s sugarcane businesses, calling them a “political conspiracy” and noting their minimal ethanol output.

A Balancing Act: Progress vs. Pain Points

The E20 program is a bold step toward self-reliance and sustainability, but it’s not without growing pains. While Gadkari’s challenge to critics underscores the program’s rigorous testing, consumer feedback suggests real-world challenges—higher fuel costs, maintenance needs, and compatibility issues—can’t be ignored. Offering blended and non-blended fuel options, as in Brazil, or passing ethanol’s cost savings to consumers could ease the transition.

For now, Gadkari’s vision is clear: E20 is here to stay, driving India toward a greener, self-sufficient future. But as the nation races to meet its 20% blending target by October 2025, addressing consumer concerns will be key to winning hearts and minds.

Conclusion: E20’s Promise and Perils

Nitin Gadkari’s fiery defense of E20 ethanol-blended petrol highlights its potential to transform India’s energy landscape, from empowering farmers to cutting emissions. Yet, the program’s success hinges on bridging the gap between policy wins and consumer realities. As India accelerates toward a biofuel future, Bharat doetone.com will keep you updated on this high-octane debate.

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Keywords: Nitin Gadkari E20 fuel, ethanol-blended petrol India, E20 vehicle damage, ethanol mileage drop, Brazil ethanol program, India emissions reduction, farmers ethanol benefits, E20 compatibility issues.