He added that the assessment was also buttressed by studies undertaken by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

"Extensive field trials on vehicles with E20 fuel did not point to any compatibility issue or any negative effects of E20," the minister noted.

He also remarked that the studies have confirmed that even legacy vehicles do not show any variations in performance, nor do they exhibit unusual wear-and-tear when functioning under E20 fuel.

Gadkari added that no issues were reported over drivability, startability, metal compatibility and plastic compatibility of vehicles in this regard.

However, Gadkari mentioned that vehicle mileage is influenced by a number of factors apart from fuel type, including driving habits, maintenance practices such as oil changes and air filter cleanliness, tyre pressure, alignment, and air conditioning load.

The question comes vital and timely as many harmful effects like corrosion, degradation of rubber seals and plastic parts causing fuel leakage, lower mileage, incomplete combustion, clogging of fuel filters, and starting trouble during the winter season were flagged in general over ethanol blending.

Notably, over 1,000 crore litres of ethanol have been blended during the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024–25, leading to an average ethanol blending rate of 19.24 per cent in petrol.

Significantly, blending touched 19.97 per cent this October.