MPs ask why govt didn’t inform owners of non-E20 vehicles about mileage loss

MPs on the parliamentary committee on transport questioned why the government did not inform owners of non-E20 vehicles about potential mileage loss from using 20% ethanol blended petrol.

The committee, chaired by JDU's Sanjay Jha, called officials from road transport and petroleum ministries, vehicle testing agencies, and oil marketing companies amid controversy over E20's impact.

Road transport ministry officials stated mileage loss due to E20 fuel is between 2 and 6%, contrary to hearsay claims of 25%.

Some members asked whether an economic analysis had been done to assess gains to individual vehicle owners from E20 fuel.

Officials noted that a BIS notification for higher blended ethanol (E22, E25, E30) and sale of adulterated fuels may have triggered the controversy.