The Bharat Independent Ethanol Producers Association has raised concern over the spread of misleading information about E20 petrol on social media, stating that claims linking the fuel to engine damage, poor mileage, and excessive water consumption are not supported by scientific evidence, industry testing, or real-world operating data.
BIEPA said the growing volume of unverified claims has created unnecessary confusion among consumers at a time when India’s ethanol blending programme is delivering measurable economic, environmental, and energy security benefits. The association urged consumers to rely on verified information from the Government of India, vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and scientific institutions rather than social media posts.
Mr. Pushpinder Singh, President of BIEPA, said: “India’s ethanol programme is built on years of scientific research, extensive vehicle testing and close collaboration between the Government, oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers and ethanol producers. Consumers should have complete confidence in the quality and safety of E20 fuel sold across the country and rely on verified information rather than misinformation circulating on social media. Misinformation not only creates unnecessary anxiety but also undermines a nationally important programme that is strengthening India’s energy security and supporting millions of farmers.”
On the specific claims circulating online, BIEPA offered clear clarifications. On engine damage, the association stated that no credible scientific study or official investigation has linked government-approved E20 fuel to widespread engine failures, and that vehicle manufacturers, ARAI, oil marketing companies, and the government have extensively tested and continue to monitor E20 performance. On fuel economy, while E20 contains slightly less energy per litre than petrol, its higher octane rating supports more efficient combustion, with any mileage variation typically limited to 2% to 6% under normal driving conditions — making claims of drastic fuel economy loss misleading. On water consumption, BIEPA noted that modern ethanol plants use water recycling, condensate recovery, and zero liquid discharge systems, and that India’s programme increasingly uses agricultural by-products such as maize, broken rice, molasses, and sugarcane rather than crops grown exclusively for fuel.
BIEPA also clarified that using BIS-compliant E20 petrol from authorised retail outlets does not invalidate vehicle warranties or insurance policies.
The association pointed out that ethanol-blended petrol has been used successfully for decades in major economies including Brazil, which uses E30, and the United States, which uses E15 to E18. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has helped the country save over ₹1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15 by reducing crude oil imports, while also creating a productive market for agricultural surpluses and strengthening rural livelihoods.
BIEPA called on consumers, industry, policymakers, and media to work together to ensure that factual, science-based information reaches the public, so that misinformation does not hinder one of India’s most important energy transition initiatives.