From DW REV – Cars & Mobility.
India has rolled out E20 petrol, fuel blended with 20% ethanol, years ahead of schedule. Supporters say the move can reduce oil imports, improve energy security and create a new market for surplus sugarcane. But for millions of motorists, the transition has also raised concerns about fuel economy, vehicle compatibility and long-term engine wear.
In this episode of DW REV, we speak with drivers, automotive experts, motorcycle enthusiasts and policy specialists to examine the real-world impact of India’s ethanol strategy. From declining mileage and classic-car preservation challenges to the lessons India could learn from Brazil’s decades-long biofuel programme, we explore the opportunities and trade-offs behind one of the country’s biggest fuel policy shifts.
As India’s mobility landscape evolves through electrification, biofuels and alternative energy sources, a key question remains: how far should the country go with ethanol blending?
Report: Vaishali Dinakaran
Camera: Dheeraj Aithal
Editing: Christian Förster
00:00 India’s Rapid Shift to E20 Fuel
00:57 How India Reached E20: A Brief History
01:45 Energy Security, Oil Imports and Sugar Surplus
02:45 The Challenge for Existing Cars and Motorcycles
03:08 One Driver’s Experience with E20
04:09 Why Ethanol Reduces Fuel Economy
04:54 Engine Compatibility and Corrosion Risks
06:48 Can Older Vehicles Be Retrofitted?
08:15 The Vintage and Classic Car Dilemma
11:08 Why Motorcycle Owners Are Concerned
13:14 Brazil’s Ethanol Success Story
14:07 Food vs Fuel: How Far Should India Go?
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