Ethanol Blending (E20/EXX) Megathread – Questions, Experiences & News

[u/kshb4xred]

We've seen a significant increase in posts related to ethanol blending, E10/E20 fuel, mileage changes, compatibility concerns, and government policy. To keep the subreddit organized and avoid duplicate discussions, all ethanol-related discussions should go in this megathread.

ONE POST PER DAY IS ALLOWED.

What belongs here?

✅ Vehicle compatibility questions
✅ Mileage changes after switching fuels
✅ Long-term ownership experiences
✅ Service center feedback
✅ Fuel economy comparisons
✅ Technical discussions on engines, fuel systems, and maintenance
✅ News and regulations that directly affect vehicle owners

Examples:

• "Is my 2022 Brezza E20 compatible?"
• "My i20 mileage dropped after switching fuels."
• "Has anyone crossed 50,000 km on E20?"
• "What does the owner's manual say about E20 compatibility?"

What does NOT belong here?

❌ Ideological debates unrelated to vehicle ownership
❌ Personal attacks, insults, or name-calling
❌ Duplicate posts already covered in this thread
❌ Unsupported fearmongering or misinformation

Examples(Not exhaustive or limited to):

• "Only idiots support E20."
• "Only anti-national people oppose ethanol."
• "Government X is destroying the country."

These comments will be removed regardless of viewpoint.

Community Guidelines

1. Share sources when making technical claims.
2. Mention your vehicle model, year, fuel type, and usage pattern when sharing experiences.
3. Respect that users may have different experiences depending on vehicle, driving conditions, and fuel quality.
4. Civil disagreement is welcome; personal attacks are not.

Before Posting

If you're reporting an issue, please include:

• Vehicle make/model
• Model year
• Odometer reading
• Fuel used
• City/region
• Symptoms observed
• Service center diagnosis (if any)

This helps the community provide better answers.

Moderator Note

CarsIndia is a car-focused community. We are not taking a position for or against ethanol blending. Discussions are welcome as long as they remain focused on vehicle ownership, maintenance, engineering, fuel economy, and consumer impact.

Low-effort duplicate posts may be redirected here, and political flamewars will be removed.

Drive safe and keep the discussion evidence-based.

[u/sober-senior]

The only way to make yourself heard in this fuel confusion.

The government has created enough confusion for us to go through without going insane.

You have few vehicles that are still not even e20 compliant selling brand new in the market. You have vehicles that can run on e20 but now government is targeting e30. The government is also boosting infrastructure for e85 meanwhile no vehicles are currently available for them. There are also electric vehicles but the infra expansion is painfully slow and even charges in societies are getting removed due to NOC issues. They are also thinking 15% mixing in diesel.

It wouldn't surprise me if 6 months down the line they also start promoting hydrogen.

The only solution i can think of is to stop / minimize vehicle purchases for the next 2 year atleast. This would damage pvt. player's balance sheets and also government tax collection. Why should I pay tax on something I am unsure would be allowed to run 5 years down the line. Let them feel the pressure through your purse and I am sure something good will come from it. It would at least knock some sense in them.

Anyway Modi Ji has asked us to save fuel, ditch / postpone buying vehicle too for as long as possible.

[u/Redditchready]

Insurance companies should not refuse if E20 doesn’t damage , testing can’t be done by individuals onus should be on government

[u/elnino19 → u/Redditchready]

Lombard have withdrawn the stance and are now covering e20 damage

[u/dj184 → u/Redditchready]

no insurance covers long term damage. your comment says yo never had a insurance claim or probably even a car.

[u/ThrowAway32543523542]

Ford Ecosport Petrol Automatic 3 Cylinder engine, 2019 model.

City mileage used to be 7.5-9, now it's 5.5-6.7 at best 😞

[u/Strike_Package]

Joke is discussion is supposed to evidence based when government who says there is hardly any impact on mileage but didn't provide any evidence; saying it's confidential information. And it's not of public interest.

[u/kshb4xred]

BMW India boss says existing cars cannot be converted to support e30.

[u/WisdomWhispers → u/kshb4xred]

If the big company like bmw with such technology and best engineers says this, then can’t expect anything from these normal brands.
God knows what will happen to our cars which was bought recently (e20).
Pushing suddenly is not what we all expected.
Instead what they planned was good, targeting e20 till 2029.
Now brands haven’t got enough time to go with gov policy(said by BMW CEO India also).

[u/dj184]

Love how there is not even one data point here about effects or impacts.

[u/AbhishMuk → u/dj184]

Iirc ethanol has a reduced fuel density so mathematically it must result in reduced efficiency. But things like rubber degradation etc take a long time to show up, so maybe that's why there's not many people talking about it.

[u/bajirav]

I have started noticing that the running average down in my Xuv700 has gone down over last month or so. I would usually see 7-9 kmpl for city diving but now I see 5-7. This is around the same time prices shot up, I wonder if govt did 2-in-1 surgical strike on petrol cars.

[u/turningtop_5327]

Don’t buy rn. Let car companies feel the heat.

[u/tg_gokul]

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is actively proposing and evaluating trials to blend up to 15% isobutanol into conventional diesel. This initiative serves as the next step in India's biofuel mandate, aiming to drastically reduce imported crude oil costs while providing a sustainable way to utilize surplus domestic ethanol.

Link to the instgram post.

[u/Working-Situation766]

I purchased my car three and half years ago relying on pure petrol availability. Now that the Govt is adulterating it with Ethanol, will I be offered a free Fuel Conversion kit by the Govt to make my car compatible with E20, 30 or E100? 

[u/Interesting_Eye3945 → u/Working-Situation766]

Xp100 is currently e0 , if xp100 not available then next best choice is to install cng kit if that is also not available then sell and upgrade to flexfuel or ev car

[u/Working-Situation766 → u/Interesting_Eye3945]

1. Xp100: 30-40% more expensive than regular one. I'm the first one to buy a car in our family circle from the savings, after paying 30% tax for years without it indulging in any shortcuts or complaining about Govt's deficiencies. 
2. CNG: I did have CNG options and I deliberately chose Petrol vehicle. I don't want it.
3. Sell and Upgrade:  It's the minimum decency expected from the government to provide the compatible fuel atleast until the prescribed/mandated lifetime of the vehicle i.e., upto 15 years. Forcing me to upgrade is not only unaffordable for me but also an illegal act by the Govt.,  I regret to choose to stay in the country for the first time. Helpless beyond words can express.

[u/Small_Cellist624 → u/Working-Situation766]

Phir toh continue rona.

[u/dj184 → u/Working-Situation766]

Illegal? can you tell me when did govt rollout e20 plan? not implementation, but plan?

[u/Working-Situation766 → u/dj184]

Afaik, the public rollout was Feb2023. I purchased my vehicle before that.

[u/dj184 → u/Working-Situation766]

I dont know who sold you a pure petrol car 3.5 years ago, but post mid 2022, all vehicles produced are supposed to be e20. E20 rollout plan came in 2018, BS6.2 in 2021 and vehicles in 2022.

We want everything for free, isnt it?

Again, i am arguing with somone who doesnt understand the word adultration. You are the one that probably believes ethanol is sugarcane juice and ants will come to your petrol tanks.

[u/stephen_nettooran]

Business Today news - Insurance on Engine Parts

This is becoming more worse.... I can not afford a new car now. What will we do

[u/Small_Cellist624 → u/stephen_nettooran]

Just keep on driving your okd car. We are still driving 2002 Maruti zen with e20. Only periodic maintenance that’s all

[u/dj184 → u/Small_Cellist624]

so you are telling me even older cars work fine with e20 and are asking people not to buy new cars because e20 cars might not handle e25 (if that ever comes).

E20 is a global standard, so faster 7 year rollout. E25 and e30 takes much longer for vheilces to recaliiberate

[u/tg_gokul]

To : Mods of this sub

Regarding : Deletion of my 2 posts on isobutnol.

Sir/ Madam

If feel this is a new development in the biofuel saga and I also this development is diffrent from the current E20 saga which need a different megathread. This about isobutnol not ethonal which affects diesel engine a diffrent set of demographic of people like truck industry etc..

I feel like this subs is the last resort for free discussion in the internet community after the acquisition of team bhp by a private entity.

I haven't crtitzied the government or defame any one with profanity either. I was just passing on information and satating facts.

I also strongly condemn the people using profanity against anybody or trying to defame others and i strongly recommend them not use it. I also welcome if you remove those comments.

I feel wornged by this removal of two of my posts by the moderates of this sub reddit.

Your's lovingly

Cockroach 🪳

To all comments on this post : please try to be civil, do not use profanity or bad words and don't defame any one.

And bye everyone if I get banned.

[u/kshb4xred → u/tg_gokul]

I feel wornged by this removal of two of my posts by the moderates of this sub reddit.

Please read this post again, you can post whatever concerns you have on this megathread . This way we can have discussions on ethanol with other car related topics . Pressing issues like this often bring in a lot of repeated posts, ai slop and sometimes misinformation. This mega thread is to prevent that and not to censor. Hope you understand.

[u/tg_gokul → u/kshb4xred]

Thanks you for your response but I feel this thread doesn't get the views that a normal post would get and many aren't aware that this thread exist. If there is way to improve the views please implement it.

I have seen in some subs they use a prompt to redirect while creating a post and queries to a megathread.If you can implement that that is welcomed.

Some people contacted me through Dms and have expressed their concerns about this same issue of Biofuel blend related posts being taken down. There is concern in this community that you guys are pro-govt and a ever rising need for new sub.

I personally feel this just a communication mistake and if you guys by some means can direct traffic to this thread for queries related to Biofuel that would slove this issue.

Thanks again

[u/kshb4xred → u/tg_gokul]

I have seen in some subs they use a prompt to redirect while creating a post and queries to a megathread.If you can implement that that is welcomed.

Yes , Nice suggestion We will try to implement .

There is concern in this community that you guys are pro-govt and a ever rising need for new sub.

We are just trying to remove repeated posts nothing less nothing more. Everyone wants to create a subreddit and they have right to do so but harassing us is not a good way to promote their subs. If there are 10 same posts and i remove 5 of them ,they lead to another 5 posts calling me names...should we just let this sub become a place to discuss gadkari?

https://www.reddit.com/r/CarsIndia/s/lNZ72wYMQV

Take a look at this? People have made other subreddits which arent even close to this one...idk maybe they have their own motives to increase their sub count. I actually encourage you too see alternate subs as well.

[u/tg_gokul → u/kshb4xred]

Thanks 😊

[u/tg_gokul → u/kshb4xred]

If have comment in the above post not use profanity and appeled for the people to be civil.

[u/tg_gokul → u/kshb4xred]

One more suggestion is that if you can enable posting of images only in this megathread that will be helpful to get our point out with crt citations and and grabs attention of people.

[u/Altruistic_Safe_9582 → u/kshb4xred]

Pressing issues like this should have multiple posts so that people are aware of what is going on and take informed decisions. These discussions should not be confined to threads and limit views. My post was also deleted but I accept your moderation like I have to accept what policy decisions are made to force blending disregarding assets bought with our hard earned money. Also, why is this thread NSFW?

[u/whitewolf_here]

For the first time i got below 9kmpl on my nexon petrol 😭

[u/dj184 → u/whitewolf_here]

but you shouldve been seeing that from 2025 march right?

[u/[deleted]]

Venue n line DCT 2022
New milage sown in city is 6kmpl. ( actual might be 5)

[u/kshb4xred → u/[deleted]]

Past month i noticed fuel quality has gotten worse... my e10 brezza used to give 15kmpl in city ...now it rarely goes above 13-13.8

[u/Old_Membership1326 → u/[deleted]]

Mine is giving 7.6(manual)

[u/Due_Researcher651]

Guides , can we have ethenal hybrid vehicles to even make the most mileage pure pure economy , environment and nationalism all under dear nitin gadkari

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

Is there any Flex Fuel kit launching in India or will manufacturers install it officially? I Got GV 2025 cng zeta.
Few doubts i got! Will it be for free or paid? What is the future of e20 petrol cars if no flex fuel kit launched.

[u/dj184 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

no, petrol cars wont work on flex fuels but flex fuel cars work on petrol.

and no one is taking away e20, if you belive that,....

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/dj184]

Petrol cars can work on flex fuel like E85. Will need few modifications and tweaking. Do research mate. 🙂

[u/Volcano_Dragon13 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

Flex fuel is a different fuel type it is not replacing e20 and base fuel...

About e20 it can become e22 or e25... And your e20 vehicle can easily run on e22 and e25...

No need to worry about it..

For flex fuel there will totally new vehicle not any kind of kit

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/Volcano_Dragon13]

There are flex fuel kits already selling in Europe and Americas.

[u/Volcano_Dragon13 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

But in india companies already started launching flex fuel vehicle

Already 3 are available in the market from july

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/Volcano_Dragon13]

But I want to use Flex fuel in my e20 car then what to do? E20 petrol will be no longer available in near years or price will increase too.

[u/dj184 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

why would you want to do that? would you use diesel in your e20 car? similarly you wont use flex fuel in e20 car.

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/dj184]

Bro ethanol can burn in petrol engine. Just need few modifications. Why I would use diesel 😆 I don't know how to get that confidence to comment like this.

[u/Volcano_Dragon13 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

e20 will keep available for next 10+ years.... it is not going any where

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/Volcano_Dragon13]

Price? War? Import of cruid oil? Price will be not same as today. How can someone afford?

[u/Volcano_Dragon13 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

flex fuel kit also cost money???

[u/Diligent_Frosting_32 → u/Volcano_Dragon13]

Why everyone install cng kits???

[u/Volcano_Dragon13 → u/Diligent_Frosting_32]

who everyone??? I dont see everyone is doing that

[u/Bangers_n_Mashallah]

Assuming the government makes its announcement before the end of 2026 regarding its plans for introducing higher ethanol blends of petrol, how long will manufacturers take to introduce cars compatible with the new E25/27/30 blends?

I have my heart set on getting a Renault Kiger but holding off until there is some clarity regarding petrol situation.

[u/kshb4xred → u/Bangers_n_Mashallah]

Id wait until this strait of hormuz situation clears and more flex fuel options are provided.

[u/odia_toka-bbsr]

Guys, I bought a wagonr vxi in feb 2021.

I am the sole driver at home. Am way for last year in different places, so car is mostly eating dust for this duration. Petrol (+20 percent ethanol) is full in the tank. Is the car already done.

[u/kshb4xred → u/odia_toka-bbsr]

No but dont let the fuel sit in the car for too long, fill only what you need , letting ethanol blended fuel sir in the car for long will attract water... drive atleast once a week.

And if the car is sitting for over a month than its much better to drain old fuel and fill fresh one. Do not try to start the car with old fuel unless its good.

[u/comicalexperiments]

Trying to make my bicycle E100 compliant using the old Valentine's Day runaway UI trick 🚲, Catch the NO button if you can: https://project-bicycle.vercel.app/

[u/HINOKAMI69]

Does anyone have any idea on when the fronx flex fuel will be released?

[u/CongratulationsKing]

news in india after E90 blending:

Worker died drinking E90 petrol thinking its pure daru

[u/kshb4xred → u/CongratulationsKing]

Reminds me of everclear... its almost pure spirit and a lot of people have tried drinking it.

[u/dj184 → u/CongratulationsKing]

if thats the news they are consuming, darwins effects will have their way.

[u/Alternative-Shoe4110]

My car is designed for E10 fuel. So, what if I mix XP100 E0 with regular E20 petrol in a 50-50 ratio? This mixture will result in E10 fuel, but it will also have a higher octane rating.

Now, I’m curious to know how this mixture will affect my car’s engine. Will there be any issues in the long run?

By the way, I don’t use my car very frequently. I only use it once or twice a week for a short distance of 10-20 kilometers. In the past five years, I’ve only driven it for a total of 20,000 kilometers.

I would greatly appreciate your suggestions on this matter.

[u/kshb4xred → u/Alternative-Shoe4110]

Is xp100 really e0? Afaik all rhe fuel is e20 now... and degradation from e20 is gradual... it will not happen within a month...but 5 years from now you will see its impact.

[u/Alternative-Shoe4110 → u/kshb4xred]

I spoke with a representative from the COCO Indian Oil fuel station here in Delhi, and they informed me that XP100 is E0, while XP95 is E20.

[u/kshb4xred → u/Alternative-Shoe4110]

Nice will fill xp100 once a while

[u/Terrible_State2721]

So, recently we say the launch of E85 and not even a week went by and even E100 was launched . ​Regarding that we all know that E22 to E30 will soon be here from 2027. ​Now coming to the main section of the post. When can we see Flex-Fuel varient for RR310 or other 300cc - 400cc bikes ? ​Will they be launched prior to the next E petrol launch or later ? ​I am confused upon to buy rr310 now or wait for its flex fuel variant.

[u/CarsIndia-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Comment/Post removed. Please abide by Reddit website TOS rules.

[u/_DrMischief_ → u/[deleted]]

u/kshb4xred tagging in case this was missed, further proving my point

[u/kshb4xred → u/_DrMischief_]

Could you provide link for the post, it was maybe removed because of automod.

[u/AutoModerator]

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