India, one of the world's fastest-growing car markets, is taking a major step towards cleaner energy. By rolling out E20 fuel nationwide by the end of this financial year. Here is a simple breakdown of what this change means for you.
What Is E20 Fuel
E20 petrol is a new blend consisting of 20% ethanol (a plant-based alcohol) and 80% regular petrol. This is double the ethanol content of the previous E10 blend.
The ethanol used in this fuel is a renewable resource, made from plants like sugarcane, corn, waste grains, and rice husks.
Why the Switch and What Are the Benefits?
The shift to E20 is mainly for two powerful reasons:
- Cutting Pollution: A primary goal is to significantly reduce vehicle emissions and make our air cleaner.
- Saving Money on Imports: By using more homegrown ethanol, the country reduces its heavy dependence on importing crude oil from other nations.
For car owners, there's a potential bonus: Studies suggest that if your car has an E20-compliant engine, you might experience a slight increase in fuel efficiency (mileage).
Cons of E20 Petrol
While the move is necessary, there are a few drawbacks, especially if your car is older:
- Drop in Mileage: If your car's engine is not E20-compatible, you will likely see your fuel efficiency decrease.
- Engine Damage: Non-compliant engines may experience faster wear and tear of internal components.
- Higher Maintenance Risk: E20 fuel attracts more moisture (it's "hygroscopic") than earlier blends. This can lead to more water buildup in the fuel tank, potentially affecting engine performance and increasing your future maintenance costs.