Government Admits E20 Fuel May Affect Older Vehicles: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: In a significant admission, the Union Government has acknowledged for the first time that using E20 petrol (petrol blended with 20% ethanol) could cause wear and tear in certain older vehicles.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari shared this information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Key Highlights: Which Vehicles Are Affected?

According to the statement, certain older vehicles compliant with BS-3 emission standards might require replacements for specific rubber parts and gaskets due to sustained E20 usage.

• Target Vehicles: Mainly two-wheelers and four-wheelers manufactured between April 1, 2005, and 2016 (vehicles below Euro-4/BS-4 standards).

• No Engine Modifications Needed: Minister Gadkari clarified that studies show E20 fuel has no major impact on the overall performance or durability of these vehicles. No mechanical engine modifications are required.

• Routine Replacements: The affected components can easily be replaced during regular vehicle servicing.

What Parts Need Replacing and Why?

Ethanol possesses corrosive properties that can cause older rubber formulations to harden, soften, or swell over time, as these components were not originally designed for prolonged contact with ethanol. While the primary impact is on rubber components, some older metal parts in pre-Euro-4 vehicles could also experience mild effects.

The Affected Components:

• Fuel hoses and pipes

• O-rings and rubber seals

• Gaskets

• Rubber components inside the fuel pump

• Injector seals

Note: These are not core engine parts. Most of these rubber components are situated within the vehicle's fuel delivery system.

Estimated Replacement Costs

The cost of replacing these parts varies significantly depending on the vehicle make and model:

Disclaimer: Premium or luxury models (e.g., Mercedes-Benz) will incur higher costs compared to budget mass-market models (e.g., Maruti Suzuki).

Frequency and Impact on Mileage

When asked about the replacement intervals, the minister noted that there is no fixed timeline or kilometer milestone. Mechanics will check for signs of wear, degradation, or leakage during routine service intervals and replace them as needed. Vehicles will continue to run normally, though older models may require slightly more frequent maintenance monitoring.

Addressing concerns regarding fuel efficiency, Gadkari emphasized that vehicle mileage does not depend solely on the fuel type. "Mileage is influenced by multiple factors, including driving style, road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and environmental elements," he said, adding that ethanol-blended fuel has been successfully used globally for over a century.

The study referenced by the minister was jointly conducted by Indian Oil, the Indian Institute of Petroleum, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).