Minister Responds to Concerns Over Falling Fuel Efficiency
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has defended the government’s ethanol-blended petrol programme, saying motorists cannot accurately determine their vehicle’s fuel efficiency on their own and should instead rely on testing conducted by authorised dealerships.
His remarks came during an interview with ABP News, where a journalist claimed her car’s mileage had dropped significantly after switching to E20 petrol, the fuel containing 20% ethanol that has been rolled out nationwide.
When the journalist said her vehicle’s mileage had reduced from around 11 km per litre to 7 km per litre, Gadkari asked how the calculation had been made. After she explained that the reading came from her car’s dashboard display, the minister said such figures should not be treated as definitive.“You and I can’t check the mileage. A car’s mileage can only be checked using a company-authorised dealer’s machine,” Gadkari said.
Government Acknowledges Minor Mileage Impact
The exchange comes shortly after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas acknowledged that E20 fuel may reduce fuel economy by 3% to 5% in certain vehicles.
However, the ministry maintained that fuel efficiency is only one aspect of the programme, which aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil, support domestic ethanol production and lower vehicle emissions.
The nationwide rollout of E20 petrol began on April 1 as part of the Centre’s clean energy strategy.
How Reliable Are Dashboard Mileage Readings?
Modern vehicles estimate fuel economy using data collected by the engine’s electronic control systems, including fuel injection and distance travelled. While dashboard figures provide a useful estimate, automotive experts say they may vary slightly from real-world results.
Many experts consider the full-tank method—calculating distance travelled against fuel consumed during a refill cycle—as one of the most reliable ways for motorists to estimate actual fuel efficiency.
What Does an Authorised Dealer Check?
Diagnostic equipment used at authorised service centres analyses information directly from the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). It can detect faults in components such as fuel injectors, oxygen sensors and airflow sensors, while also checking engine calibration and other systems that may influence fuel consumption.
Experts note, however, that such diagnostic tools are primarily designed to identify mechanical or electronic issues rather than measure real-world mileage under varying driving conditions.
Fuel efficiency can also be affected by traffic congestion, road conditions, tyre pressure, driving habits, air-conditioner usage and vehicle load.
The debate over E20 petrol has intensified in recent weeks as some motorists reported reduced mileage, while the government continues to defend the programme’s long-term environmental and energy security benefits.
Q1. What did Nitin Gadkari say about checking car mileage?
He said motorists cannot accurately measure mileage on their own and should rely on authorised dealer testing equipment.
Q2. Does E20 petrol reduce fuel efficiency?
The government has acknowledged that E20 petrol may reduce mileage by 3% to 5% in some vehicles.
Q3. What is E20 petrol?
E20 is petrol blended with 20% ethanol, introduced to reduce crude oil imports and lower emissions.
Q4. Is a car’s dashboard mileage accurate?
Dashboard readings provide an estimate, but actual fuel economy may vary depending on driving conditions and vehicle performance.
Q5. Why do authorised dealers use diagnostic machines?
Dealer diagnostic tools check the vehicle’s engine systems and identify faults that may affect fuel efficiency, rather than simply measuring mileage.
