Govt says E25 only being tested for now: All your questions on ethanol-blended fuel answered

India's government has clarified that any potential shift to E25 petrol, a blend of 25% ethanol with conventional fuel, remains under evaluation and no decision on its rollout has been made. Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that ongoing tests must be completed and discussed with stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, before considering any blend beyond the current E20. This announcement comes amidst significant public criticism of the E20 blend, which has become India's standard petrol grade. Commuters and opposition politicians have voiced concerns, claiming E20 has led to decreased mileage and higher repair expenses. They also question why pump prices have not decreased, despite the blend supposedly being cheaper to produce than pure petrol. The government, however, maintains that E20 is safe for compliant vehicles, citing extensive testing by the Automotive Research Association of India and carmakers. Biofuels, like ethanol, are derived from biomass such as corn and sugarcane, offering a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. India has successfully met its E20 target five years ahead of its original 2025 deadline, rolling out the blend nationwide in April. While higher ethanol content can slightly reduce energy density, leading to a marginal decrease in mileage, the government asserts that the impact is minimal and E20 does not damage compatible vehicles. Currently, there is no option to purchase completely ethanol-free petrol in India, and all cars manufactured after April 1, 2018, are considered E20 compatible.

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any move to E25 petrol, a blend of 25% ethanol with petrol, remains under evaluation, and that the government has not taken a decision on its rollout.