Centre denies reports of E25 petrol rollout (Img: AI generated)
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday dismissed reports claiming that India is preparing to roll out E25 petrol, clarifying that no decision has been taken and that testing of the higher ethanol blend is still underway across multiple vehicle models.
Government sources said reports suggesting an imminent rollout of E25 are "absolutely false", stressing that the fuel must undergo comprehensive scientific and technical evaluation before any policy decision is made.
Officials said compatibility testing for E25 is currently being conducted across different automobile brands and vehicle categories. The government has not yet received the final test results, and no proposal to introduce E25 is under implementation.
"How can E25 be scheduled when testing itself is still underway?" a government source said.
Any future decision, officials added, will depend on scientific evidence related to vehicle safety, engine performance, fuel efficiency, long-term durability and validation by automobile manufacturers.
The clarification comes amid reports suggesting the government could introduce E25 in phases as part of its ethanol blending programme.
Officials said India's ethanol blending programme has always followed a phased approach. According to government sources, E15 blending began in April 2023, followed by E19 during 2024, while E20 has been implemented since April 2025 after extensive testing involving automakers, oil marketing companies and technical experts.
More than 20 crore two-wheelers and around 20 lakh four-wheelers are currently running on ethanol-blended petrol across the country, officials said.
The Centre said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme aims to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower fuel import bills, cut carbon emissions and improve energy security.
Officials noted that ethanol, produced largely from sugarcane and food grains, also creates additional income opportunities for farmers.
Government sources alleged that misinformation about ethanol-blended fuel is being spread to create panic among consumers.
According to the sources, vested interests opposed to India's push for energy independence are amplifying misleading claims regarding ethanol-blended fuels. Officials claimed fake videos and misinformation campaigns are being circulated to discourage the adoption of cleaner transport fuels.
The clarification comes amid concerns raised by some vehicle owners and industry experts regarding higher ethanol blends.
Some owners of older vehicles have questioned compatibility with E20, while certain manufacturers have advised consumers to use only the fuel blends recommended for their vehicles. Concerns have also been raised over fuel economy, engine wear and maintenance costs.
The government, however, maintained that E20 was introduced only after comprehensive testing and reiterated that any future increase in ethanol blending would follow the same scientific and regulatory process.
