MNNIT Study: E-15 Ethanol Blend is Safer and Better for Cars Than E-20
Public Lokpal
July 11, 2026
MNNIT Study: E-15 Ethanol Blend is Safer and Better for Cars Than E-20
Prayagraj: A groundbreaking study by the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj, reveals that a 15% ethanol-petrol blend (E-15) is the safest and most efficient fuel mixture for vehicles.
Published in the prestigious SAE International Journal, the research warns that pushing the blend to 20% (E-20) could harm automotive health.
The rigorous testing, which analyzed blends up to 25%, highlighted significant drawbacks of E-20 fuel. It accelerates the degradation of engine oil and shortens the lifespan of spark plugs. Furthermore, exceeding a 15% ethanol threshold drastically increases the required ignition energy, forcing the engine to work harder and potentially reducing mileage.
While policies push for higher ethanol adoption, this study underscores that E-15 is the ideal "sweet spot" to maintain optimum engine performance without inducing premature mechanical wear.