A PIL challenging the rollout of E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol, has been quashed by the Supreme Court. The plea claimed that millions of motorist were being left helpless at the fuel pumps and were forced to buy fuel that is not compatible with their vehicles.
This comes as E20 petrol has become the only fuel choice at most of the country's 90,000 pumps. Most cars and two-wheelers manufactured before 2023 and some of the new BS-VI models are not compatible with ethanol-blended petrol. Check the list of E20-compatible vehicles HERE.
How to buy petrol if your vehicle is not E20-compliant?
Indian Oil Corporation Limited's XP100 and Hindustan Petroleum's poWer100 are E0 and hence do not contain ethanol.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has on 4 August 2025 issued a detailed response to certain concerns raised on the impact of 20% Ethanol Blended Petrol (E-20) on mileage and vehicle life. In response to the further queries received, a detailed response has been given today.… pic.twitter.com/tV0R4KxMLQ
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) August 12, 2025
XP100, which is IOCL's premium petrol, is said to be India's first 100-octane, ethanol-free petrol. However, it costs ₹160 per litre.
HPCL's poWer100 also has an octane rating of 100 and is designed for high-performance, high-end cars and bikes. This also costs ₹160 per litre.
However, vehicle owners must note that the 100-octane petrol options are specifically made for luxury cars and sport bikes which are run by powerful engines.
Also, these premium variants of petrol are not readily available at all petrol pumps.
The government said E20 lowers carbon emissions, but there are concerns about a "marginal" hit on fuel efficiency of old cars.
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), an auto industry body, claimed that E20 fuel-related insurance and warranty claims issues are "misplaced", adding that that auto-makers will "honour the warranty without any ifs and buts".
