‘Average car owner cannot accurately measure mileage themselves’: Gadkari on E20 controversy

New Delhi: Ethanol-blended petrol and its potential negative impact on mileage have become topics of discussion. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has addressed questions regarding E20 fuel—petrol blended with 20% ethanol. Gadkari stated that an average car owner cannot accurately measure their vehicle’s mileage on their own; the necessary equipment for this is available with authorized vehicle dealers.

He emphasized that an accurate assessment of mileage is only possible using the equipment available at authorized dealerships. Gadkari made these remarks during a TV interview while responding to a question about the reduction in car mileage attributed to E20 petrol. During the interview, the journalist mentioned owning a 2023 model car.

The journalist noted that the car is E20-compatible and previously delivered a mileage of around 11 kilometers per liter in city driving, but this figure has now dropped to approximately seven kilometers per liter. In response, Gadkari asked how the mileage was measured. The journalist cited the mileage reading displayed on the car’s dashboard.

Gadkari then stated that neither the journalist nor he himself could accurately measure mileage. He reiterated that mileage assessment requires the specific equipment available only with the company’s authorized dealers. Gadkari’s statement comes at a time when the central government has also acknowledged that the use of E20 petrol in certain vehicles can lead to a 3% to 5% reduction in fuel economy.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had previously released a document addressing concerns about ethanol-blended petrol. While acknowledging that mileage might decrease in some vehicles, the document emphasized that performance should not be evaluated solely on that basis. It is worth noting that the government has made the sale of E20 petrol mandatory across the country starting April 1.