A new survey by LocalCircles reveals that half of all petrol vehicle owners in India, whose vehicles were purchased in 2022 or earlier, have reported a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency since the widespread adoption of E20 petrol in 2025. The study, which gathered over 50,000 responses from 301 districts across the country, highlights significant concerns among consumers.
Beyond the E20 petrol mileage drop, the survey also found that 29% of these older vehicle owners experienced unusual levels of wear and tear, or a greater need for repairs, affecting crucial components such as the engine, fuel line, tank, and carburettor over the past nine months.
Impact on Older Vehicles and Daily Commuters
While official estimates suggested a mileage reduction of approximately 1-6% with E20 fuel, many users claim their real-world losses are substantially higher. This is particularly true for older vehicles operating under congested urban driving conditions. For middle-class households already grappling with rising living costs, even modest reductions in fuel efficiency translate into notably higher monthly fuel expenses.
With E20 now the default petrol grade in most parts of India, owners of older vehicles face limited alternatives. Although some premium low-ethanol petrol variants exist, their significantly higher cost makes them inaccessible for the majority of everyday consumers.
Reported Issues and Expert Insights
Vehicle owners have frequently reported a range of issues, including faster engine overheating, rough idling, difficulty during cold starts, increased vibrations, reduced acceleration, and a clear drop in fuel efficiency. Complaints about excessive engine heating, in particular, have surged on social media during peak summer months, intensifying consumer anxiety.
Industry experts explain that ethanol-blended fuel possesses different chemical properties compared to conventional petrol. Ethanol's tendency to absorb moisture more easily, coupled with its lower energy content, can gradually affect rubber and plastic components in vehicles not originally engineered for higher ethanol blends. This raises concerns about corrosion, the weakening of seals and gaskets, fuel-line deterioration, injector damage, and added long-term stress on engines.
Financial Strain on Owners
Owners of older two-wheelers, small cars, and budget commuter vehicles are especially apprehensive. They fear that the potential repair and replacement costs could impose a heavy financial burden. Industry estimates suggest that close to 80% of vehicles sold in the last 15 years were designed to run on E5 or E10 fuel blends. Consequently, the broader rollout of E20 petrol has left many owners of these older vehicles worried about increased maintenance expenses, reduced engine durability, and declining fuel economy.