From the Ground: What motorists’ problem with Ethanol blended (E2) petrol is While environmental and economic arguments for ethanol blending are acknowledged, there is a parallel call for consumer rights in fuel choice. Synopsis: Across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, motorists are reporting everything from smooth, trouble-free drives to sharp mileage drops and sluggish performance after the Union government announced that the nation had hit the target of 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol. The rollout is exposing a gap between the policy’s economic and environmental ambitions and motorists’ demand for transparency, choice, and clarity. On 23 July, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Indian Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed that India hit 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol (E20) five years ahead of its target. The Union government is positioning the move as a win for energy security, rural incomes, and the environment. While the National Biofuel Policy promises reduced crude oil imports and lower emissions, the shift is already sparking mixed reactions on the road. Across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, motorists are reporting everything from smooth, trouble-free drives to sharp mileage drops and sluggish performance. Many admit they are unaware of the fuel’s ethanol content at all, as labelling at pumps remains inconsistent. Petrol station staff, meanwhile, say they have no control over the blend supplied — and no choice but to sell it. The rollout is exposing a gap between the policy’s economic and environmental ambitions and motorists’ demand for transparency, choice and clarity on what exactly is going into their tanks. South First spoke to motorists across states to understand their views and experiences following the full rollout of E20. Also Read: Union government unwittingly exposes issues with ethanol blending Motorists remain largely unaware Kerala motorists shared a range of experiences. Jibin Babu, a long-time car owner, said: “I have been using a car for several years, but to date, I haven’t experienced any mileage issues. Nor am I aware of any engine problems or damage to other parts due to ethanol-blended petrol. Maybe it’s a long-term issue. In my opinion, the proposed increase might not affect us immediately.” However, not all share his optimism. Anu Kamala, who drives a Volkswagen Vento, expressed scepticism: “Car engines are primarily designed to run either on petrol or diesel. In this scenario, blending fuel with ethanol might not be practical. It could affect the overall performance of the vehicle. If blending is acceptable, then would it also be practical to mix kerosene with petrol?” Her final remark was made sarcastically, but it reflects her doubts about fuel blending practices. For Ananth, a motorcycle restorer with 15 years of experience, the technical downsides are clear. “Ethanol is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture, which can cause corrosion in carburettors and fuel systems. Another problem is with rubber seals and fuel system components, which tend to degrade much faster when exposed to ethanol. I’ve seen many cases of premature wear and tear in these parts. Ethanol also has about 33 percent lower energy content compared to petrol, which can result in a drop in performance,” he said. He also noted that water absorbed into the fuel tends to settle in the tank and carburettor, leading to starting trouble. In his view, E20 may suit newer vehicles designed for it, but vintage or older vehicles need lower-ethanol fuel options. Others have not noticed any change. Jamsheer, who drives a 2023 Glanza petrol car, said: “I haven’t really noticed any of these things, especially the mileage. I also don’t care whether the fuel is ethanol-blended or not.” Similarly, Anees Babu, a Hyundai Aeon owner, admitted: “I’m not aware of this ethanol blending in petrol. I have no idea what kind of fuel is being filled in my car.” Some, like auto driver Sajeen, have minimal exposure to the debate. “I own a Bullet. I haven’t noticed any engine issues while using petrol. I get a mileage of 30–35 km per litre,” he said, adding that he did not know much about ethanol blending. In Tamil Nadu, Akanksha Bokdia, a PR consultant from Chennai, reported a clear performance drop in her 2022 Maruti Suzuki Brezza. “Mileage has dropped sharply to around 14 km/L from the previous 17–18 km/L and also sluggish pickup… The fuel efficiency has reduced, and the car feels less responsive. This is a classic sign of an ethanol blend,” she said. In Telangana, experiences vary. Gopal, a Toyota Innova driver, said he was aware of ethanol blending and its percentage, but took a different view: “If you pay the government this money, that is when they can do something for you. If you get a salary increment every year but demand lower prices, that’s just not fair.” Price, transparency, and choices Shamsher, an IT employee, believed the opposite: “If they are blending 20 percent ethanol, they should reduce the prices accordingly to benefit the consumer… Additionally, I think it would be good if they provided a non-blended option for consumers. I would pick that.” Manish, a two-wheeler rider, said he saw little change in performance but wanted more clarity: “There are no signs anywhere informing us of the change… With a 20 percent blend, I believe the government must price proportionally. Studies say that there is a negative impact on vehicles. I’ll have to see with time.” One recurring theme among motorists is the demand for transparency and choice. Several drivers said they were unaware that they were already using ethanol-blended fuel. Even those who had noticed performance changes said there was little to no information at the point of sale about the blend percentage. Some, like Ananth in Kerala and Shamsher in Telangana, specifically called for an option to buy non-blended petrol, especially for older or high-performance vehicles. Others linked ethanol blending to the need for proportional price adjustments, arguing that ethanol costs less to produce than petrol. The absence of clear labelling has left motorists unable to make informed decisions about what goes into their tanks. While environmental and economic arguments for ethanol blending are acknowledged, there is a parallel call for consumer rights in fuel choice, with several suggesting that blending targets should be phased in with proper public awareness campaigns. Also Read: Manufacturers, consumers flag concerns Petrol stations have no choice Petrol station staff and dealers across states have a unique view of the transition. In Bengaluru, a Shell station worker on Kanakapura Road said they had been supplying ethanol-blended petrol for seven to eight years, with both 16 percent and 20 percent blends available. However, the ethanol percentage was not marked on the pumps. In Thiruvananthapuram, Shamseer, an IOC franchise owner at Poojappura, said: “Neither complaints regarding mileage nor other issues came to our notice. It’s the fuel-distributing company’s responsibility to mention whether it’s ethanol-blended or not.” In Hyderabad’s Gachibowli, a station manager admitted they had “no boards” informing customers of ethanol blending. “Most people do not know about the blend. We do not have an option to sell just petrol. The petrol arrives at the station blended. Even our brand’s varieties have to be blended,” he said. Premium petrol refers to the variety with a high octane number, indicating more stable fuel than the commonly available variety. In Thalaghattapura in Bengaluru, an IOC manager said ethanol-blended petrol had been in use for a “long time” but was unsure of the exact percentage, admitting it “keeps changing.” Workers there were unaware of the blend. Supply of other varieties along with E20 Meanwhile, contrary to Puri’s statement that the nation fully met the E20 target, fuel station owners noted that they have been receiving regular petrol, E10 and E15 along with E20. At IOC Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram, staff said they supplied only E10 and had no E20 yet, but some customers had specifically asked for it. In Kochi, Ranjith, co-partner at Kochin Fuels, an HP dealer, explained: “Customers don’t specifically ask for a particular type of fuel. We haven’t received any complaints regarding this either.” He noted that supply depends on the load received, and that both ethanol-blended and regular petrol might arrive in the same tanker, stored separately. At United Fuels, an IOC station in Edappally near Kochi, the management did not permit customer interviews but said profit margins had not changed. “Most premium vehicle users are aware of the change. They specifically ask for green diesel or extra premium petrol. The main advantage is lower pollution and better mileage, but these fuels cost ₹3–4 more per litre,” a staffer said. At a Bharat Petroleum station in Sasthamangalam, staff said customers rarely ask about blend percentages and that fuel could be E10, E15, or E20, depending on the invoice. “Even vehicles with an E20 sticker on the fuel cap get refuelled with E10 or E15 without hesitation,” they added. (Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)