A LocalCircles survey found that 53% of Indian vehicle owners rated the E20 petrol rollout as 'disastrous,' with 66% reporting a drop in mileage. The survey comes just over a year after India achieved nationwide availability of E20 petrol in April 2025, six years ahead of its original 2030 target for 20% ethanol blending, according to livemint.com.
The survey highlights growing dissatisfaction among motorists following the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, which blends 20% ethanol with petrol. The fuel was introduced to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. However, many vehicle owners have experienced reduced fuel efficiency, consistent with a 2021 NITI Aayog report that estimated a 6-7% drop in mileage for four-wheelers designed for lower ethanol blends and a 3-4% decline for two-wheelers, livemint.com reported.
The backlash against E20 petrol underscores challenges in transitioning to higher ethanol blends in India’s fuel market. While the government met its ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, the reported mileage losses and negative user feedback may affect consumer acceptance. The survey results add to ongoing debates about the balance between environmental goals and practical impacts on vehicle performance, as noted by livemint.com.
The LocalCircles survey data was published on July 5, 2026, providing a snapshot of consumer sentiment more than a year after the E20 petrol rollout across India, livemint.com stated.