Amid the ongoing debate over ethanol-blended E20 petrol, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said ordinary car owners cannot accurately measure their vehicle’s fuel efficiency and should rely on tests conducted by manufacturer-authorised dealers.
Speaking during an interview with ABP News, Gadkari responded to a journalist who claimed her 2023 car’s mileage had dropped from 11 km/litre to 7 km/litre after switching to E20 petrol.
Questioning how the figure was calculated, he said dashboard readings are not sufficient to determine actual fuel efficiency and that only authorised testing equipment can provide accurate results.
Gadkari’s remarks come days after the Centre acknowledged that E20 petrol can reduce fuel economy by 3-5% in some vehicles. However, the government maintained that mileage is only one factor and defended the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, saying it aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
E20 petrol became mandatory from April 1 as part of the government’s ethanol-blending policy.
The move has drawn criticism from motorists reporting lower mileage and raised concerns within the automobile industry over the need for compatible engines, particularly for older vehicles.
Despite the backlash, the Centre continues to back the programme as a long-term energy security initiative.
