What is E-20 Fuel?

Aug. 31, 2025

India’s auto industry lobby has said that carmakers will continue to honour warranties even if older vehicles, not originally designed for higher ethanol fuels use E20 fuel.

About E-20 Fuel:

  • Automotive fuel blends comprising 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline are referred to as E20 fuel.
  • What is Ethanol Blending?
    • Ethanol blending is a process of mixing or blending ethanol, a renewable biofuel, with petrol to create a cleaner and more sustainable fuel.
    • Since ethanol is a viable biofuel that can be derived by processing biomass sources such as sugarcane, the practice of ethanol blending has largely reduced India’s dependence on fossil fuels and the high-value import of crude oil.
    • Moreover, by adding ethanol to petrol, the oxygen content of fuel is increased, leading to lower emissions and cleaner burning.
    • Additionally, since ethanol in India is largely derived from sugarcane molasses, rice, maize, and other agricultural sources, ethanol blending has also elevated the agricultural sector in India.
    • With ethanol-blended petrol, India aims to tackle its ever-increasing fossil fuel dependence in a greener and more sustainable way.
  • India’s Journey of Ethanol Blending:
    • With several countries widely adopting ethanol blending, India’s journey towards achieving ethanol-blended petrol began in 2003, when the Government of India officially launched its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
    • Since then, the ethanol blending in India has come a long way, achieving a 10% ethanol blend target in 2021-22, which was further increased to 12.06% in 2022-23, 14.06% in 2023-24, and 20% in July 2025, which was initially set to be achieved by 2030.

What is ethanol?

  • Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a type of alcohol that is commonly used in various applications.
  • It is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic odour and taste.
  • Ethanol has the chemical formula C2H5OH and is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
  • Pure ethanol is nontoxic and biodegradable, and if spilled, they break down into harmless substances.
  • However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable.
  • How is ethanol sourced?
    • Ethanol can be produced from various sources, but it is often derived from renewable resources such as crops like corn, sugarcane, barley, and wheat.
    • It can also be produced from cellulosic materials like agricultural residues and wood.

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