Maruti Suzuki and Toyota India executives stated on July 4 that E20 petrol is safe for vehicles with no issues related to wear, tear, or corrosion, according to livemint.com. This comes amid concerns over the use of E20 fuel in cars manufactured before 2023, which were primarily designed for E10 petrol.
The comments were made during a press conference at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, where industry experts including Maruti Suzuki's Rahul Bharti and Hyundai Motor India's Puneet Anand addressed the safety of ethanol-blended fuels. They clarified that vehicles designed for E10 petrol can safely run on E20 without damage, alleviating fears about engine and fuel system corrosion.
The adoption of E20 petrol aligns with India's push to increase ethanol blending in fuels to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on imported oil. The auto industry's reassurance supports the government's ethanol blending targets and could accelerate the transition. This development follows similar moves by other countries to raise ethanol content in petrol to meet environmental goals.
The government mandated the rollout of E20 petrol starting April 2026, targeting 20% ethanol blending nationwide. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota India's statements on July 4 provide clarity for millions of vehicle owners on the compatibility of their cars with the new fuel standard.