Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said automakers have been directed to replace components in older cars damaged by E20 fuel during servicing at no extra cost to owners. Older vehicles used metal washers that are now made of rubber. Manufacturers must change these parts free during maintenance. No breakdowns have been reported, and ethanol provides better performance with improved anti-knock properties and higher octane rating. The minister has supported ethanol since 2004. Social media reports of vehicle damage are overstated and part of a false narrative, he added. Gadkari acknowledged that mileage drops with E20 due to ethanol’s lower calorific value than petrol. Efficiency also depends on city driving conditions with frequent stops. Flex-fuel vehicles face no mileage issues according to reports, and such technology is being promoted. About a dozen car companies in India are developing flex models. Brazil has used 27 percent ethanol blends since 1970.
