Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised E20 fuel, which has helped India reduce oil imports due to the ongoing war in West Asia. The PM drew a link between the 20% ethanol blending in petrol and the country's reduced oil imports, saying that India has had to import about 4.5 crore barrels less oil in the last year.
The stated idea behind E20 fuel is to cut oil import bills, reduce carbon emissions, and support sugarcane farmers who provide the ethanol for the blend. However, uniform supply of E20 has led to controversies over the years, with some motorists claiming it leads to engines getting damaged and mileage falling, particularly in older vehicles.
The All India Distillers' Association (AIDA) has offered to supply ethanol blends exceeding 20% to mitigate the war's effects and has demanded that the government raise the ethanol blending mandate gradually to 30%. India achieved its E20 ethanol blending target ahead of schedule in 2025, a goal set under PM Modi's administration to cut fuel import bills and emissions.
