With the growing concerns over the use of E20 fuel in older vehicles, the Indian auto industry has clarified that manufacturers will continue to honour warranties, regardless of what is specified in vehicle user manuals. Senior executives of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing vehicle makers in India, made the assurance during a press interaction on Saturday to address consumer worries.
As India pushes ahead with its ethanol-blending program, the introduction of petrol mixed with 20% ethanol has raised apprehensions among vehicle owners. Many fear that potential damage, performance issues, or reduced engine life resulting from the use of E20 fuel may not fall under warranty coverage. Some older vehicles specifically mention in their manuals that fuels containing ethanol blends above 10% should not be used, fuelling concerns about costly repairs and diminished fuel efficiency.
The matter has also reached the judiciary. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the government’s ethanol-blending mandate is due to be heard by a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai on September 1, 2025. The petition seeks consumer choice by making E20 an optional purchase at fuel stations, along with mandatory ethanol content labelling, and aims to protect owners of vehicles not designed for higher ethanol blends from unfair burdens.
The government has issued clarifications in response to the debate. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently explained that while E20 use may marginally affect mileage, the impact would be limited, around 1–2% for vehicles calibrated for E10, and 3–6% for vehicles not designed for ethanol blends.
The ongoing discussions underscore the delicate balance India must strike between pursuing environmental sustainability through cleaner fuels and addressing the practical challenges faced by consumers and the automobile industry during this transition.
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