Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated on Friday that no engine failures or breakdowns have been reported since E20 became the standard fuel across India over the last 10 months. Referencing Brazil’s long-term use of E27 without issues, he emphasized that India’s shift to E20 is progressing smoothly, supported by policy, industry readiness, and public acceptance. Speaking at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit, Puri accused certain interest groups of spreading misinformation to hinder the country’s ethanol push.
His remarks addressed growing criticism on social media regarding reduced fuel efficiency and unchanged prices despite 20% ethanol blending. Responding to these concerns, Puri outlined several benefits of E20, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, better air quality, improved engine performance, and foreign exchange savings exceeding ₹1.4 lakh crore. He also highlighted the successful operation of 2G ethanol refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh, which produce ethanol from agricultural waste like paddy straw and bamboo.
Puri noted a significant increase in maize-based ethanol, now contributing 42% of production, up from zero in 2021–22. On Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), he said India will adopt a phased approach, targeting 1% blending in international flights by 2027 and 2% by 2028.
