E25 Paused: Govt Delays Higher Ethanol Blends Amid Consumer Backlash

Public Lokpal
July 07, 2026

New Delhi: The Indian government is halting its mandatory push to 25% ethanol-blended petrol (E25) due to severe public and political friction. Motorists are pushing back over vehicle damage risks—particularly in older, non-compliant engines vulnerable to ethanol’s corrosive nature—and a visible dip in fuel economy.

The controversy escalated after officials labeled the current E20 rollout an "experiment."

Balancing consumer anger against macro-agricultural concerns over crop diversion, the government has paused the mandate to conduct rigorous 150,000-km vehicle durability tests while pivoting incentives toward voluntary Flex-Fuel Vehicles.