Pics: Nithin Pereira

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (AS)

Udupi, Jul 18: The nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, a blend containing 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, has triggered mixed reactions among motorists and mechanics in Udupi. While the government of India promotes ethanol blending as a measure to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions, and strengthen the country’s renewable fuel programme, several vehicle owners and repair professionals have raised concerns about its impact on older vehicles.

For many motorists, the debate has moved beyond government policy and into everyday experiences involving vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and maintenance costs. With two-wheelers being the primary mode of transport for a large number of people in Udupi, some residents are calling for greater awareness and the freedom to choose between ethanol-blended and conventional petrol.

President of Udupi Varthakara Sangha, Airody Sahanashila Pai, said, “According to experts, vehicles manufactured before 2023 are likely to face issues because they were not originally designed to run on ethanol-blended fuel, while vehicles manufactured after 2023 have been designed to be compatible. My request is simple: give two-wheeler and four-wheeler users the option to choose between blended and unblended petrol. In my opinion, that would be helpful. It would also be useful to gather the opinions of mechanics working in garages. It would be even better to hear from both those involved in producing the fuel and the mechanics who repair the vehicles.”

Venkatesh, a two-wheeler mechanic from Udupi, said, “Most of the problems related to ethanol that come to me are connected to petrol overfilling. The complaints we receive mainly concern the petrol pin or needle, where the rubber part often comes off and the jet gets completely blocked, leading to a disruption in fuel supply. Fuel-injected motorcycles generally appear to be less affected, but older models continue to generate repeated complaints. Even after replacing the carburettor, some customers return with the same complaint. A carburettor replacement on popular commuter motorcycles can cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500, while smaller components such as the needle may cost around Rs 150 to Rs 200. After hearing so many complaints and discussing them with fellow mechanics, most of us feel that ethanol-blended petrol is the cause of these problems.”

Another mechanic, Vishwanath, said the issue had also affected the relationship between customers and repair workshops. “Ethanol is giving garages a bad name. E20 suits some of the newer models, but many vehicles are simply not designed for this type of petrol. When problems arise, customers blame the garage, but even if they take the vehicle to another garage, the issue often remains unresolved. In the end, the garage gets blamed. There should be a proper system where regular petrol is available by default and premium petrol is supplied only when customers specifically ask for it, giving people the freedom to choose. A similar approach should be considered for ethanol-blended and conventional petrol as well,” he said.

The concerns raised in Udupi are part of a wider national debate over the transition to E20 petrol. The Union government maintains that the fuel has undergone extensive testing and is suitable for vehicles designed to operate with higher ethanol blends. Automobile manufacturers have also increasingly introduced vehicles compatible with E20 fuel.

However, industry experts have pointed out that ethanol contains less energy than petrol, which may lead to a reduction in fuel economy depending on the vehicle’s design, engine technology, and maintenance.

While supporters of E20 highlight its potential environmental and energy security benefits, many motorists and mechanics in Udupi say greater public awareness, clear information, and the availability of fuel choices would help build confidence in the transition.

As E20 gradually becomes the standard fuel across the country, the experiences of everyday commuters and vehicle repair professionals are likely to remain an important part of the ongoing debate on the benefits and challenges of ethanol-blended petrol.