Last year, our government introduced E20 petrol at over 90,000 fuel stations, phasing out E10. Ever since then, we have only two petrol options: E0 and E20. E0 is the purest petrol you can get in the market, whereas E20 is a blend of petrol and ethanol. Your old car can run on both fuels, but the behaviour might be different. What are the possible changes or damages to your car?
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Changes In Your Car:
Fuel Efficiency:
E20 is a blend of 20% ethanol in petrol. This blend tends to have lower energy density. In simple word you have to burn more E20 petrol than the E0 to get a similar output. Depending on your vehicle, you will see a drop of about 3% to 10% in the fuel efficiency. If your car is older than 10 years, this difference might even be larger. The E0 fuel can provide better fuel efficiency than E20.
Long Term Component Damage:
In 2023, the government instructed all manufacturers in India to make their vehicles E20-compliant. These vehicles are suitable for ethanol-blend petrol and experience minimal long-term damage from E20. But cars that are not compliant with this petrol might be in trouble. The use of E20 in these cars can cause corrosion if it settles in components, and it can also clog the linings or injectors. It is to be noted here that ethanol is not what is causing the clogging; it is actually a solvent. Not to get too technical, simple ethanol cleans the debris that can eventually block the lines. Another drawback of ethanol is that it attracts water, which can later lead to rusting and further clog linings. To avoid this, we advise you to start your vehicle occasionally to prevent debris from settling.
Performance Drop:
E0 petrol is labelled as the fuel that will give you some extra “Power”. Even if it is true, it would go unnoticed in most cases. Using E20 petrol might cause trouble during cold starts due to its low energy density. If you are travelling to a high-altitude region with thin air, this cold-start issue might concern you. Other than this, E20 or E0 petrol does not affect your car’s performance much.
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Hi, I’m Ravindra Meena , a bike and automobile enthusiast. I share honest reviews, mileage tests, and latest updates about bikes, cars, and EVs to help you make the right choice. Stay connected for real-world insights and trending auto news! 🏍️🚗