New Delhi, July 7: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that the government’s E20 ethanol-blended fuel programme has been successfully implemented across the country and has received acceptance from both automobile manufacturers and consumers. He added that while E25 fuel is being tested, no decision on its rollout will be taken until scientific studies are completed and consultations are held with all stakeholders.
Responding to questions over ethanol-blended fuel, Puri said nearly 20 crore two-wheelers and around 20 lakh four-wheelers are currently running on E20 fuel across the country. He said automobile manufacturers as well as vehicle service providers have consistently maintained that they have not encountered any difficulty with the use of E20 fuel.
Questioning the recent concerns raised over E20, the Union Minister said India has already been using E15 (15 per cent ethanol blended with petrol) for the last three and a half years. He further noted that E20 (20 per cent ethanol blended with petrol) has been in use since April 2025, completing more than a year of nationwide implementation.
“If somebody is suggesting E25, we have already made it clear that scientific testing is underway. These tests will take time. Once the reports are available, they will be evaluated and discussed with all stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, before any decision is taken,” Puri said.
The Minister stressed that the government would proceed only after receiving scientific evidence and industry feedback.
“I neither manufacture cars nor fuel. The automobile manufacturers are comfortable with E20, and each one of them has made statements supporting its use. Consumers are also appreciating the product,” he said.
Puri also said the government has only recently begun the rollout of E85 fuel (85 per cent ethanol blended with petrol). He noted that expanding the availability of E85 would require additional infrastructure, including new dispensing facilities at petrol pumps, and therefore its implementation would take time.
The Minister reiterated that the government would continue to evaluate future ethanol blending programmes based on scientific studies, stakeholder consultations and industry preparedness before taking any further policy decisions.
