Nitin Gadkari Responds to E20 Row, Says Average Drivers Cannot Verify Mileage Claims

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said most car owners cannot accurately measure their vehicle’s fuel efficiency at home. Speaking during an interview with ABP News, he advised motorists to rely on authorised dealerships for precise mileage testing. His remarks came after a journalist claimed her car’s fuel economy had dropped significantly since switching to E20 petrol. Gadkari questioned the method used to calculate the mileage. He maintained that only manufacturer-approved equipment can provide accurate fuel-efficiency readings.

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Why Nitin Gadkari Questioned Drivers’ Mileage Calculations

The discussion gained attention as complaints over ethanol-blended E20 petrol continue to increase across the country. The journalist explained that her E20-compatible car’s mileage had fallen from around 11 kilometres per litre to nearly 7 kilometres per litre during city driving. She said she relied on the vehicle’s dashboard display to calculate fuel efficiency. Gadkari responded that dashboard figures do not provide scientifically verified results. He stressed that authorised dealer machines offer more reliable technical assessments.

The controversy intensified after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas acknowledged that E20 petrol may reduce fuel economy by 3 to 5 percent in some vehicles. However, the ministry defended the ethanol-blending programme by highlighting its environmental and economic benefits. The government introduced E20 petrol nationwide from April 1 to reduce crude oil imports and lower carbon emissions. Officials also stated that fuel mileage represents only one aspect of vehicle performance. They urged consumers to consider the broader advantages of ethanol blending.

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How E20 Petrol Affects Fuel Efficiency According to Experts

Automobile experts explained that drivers can still estimate fuel economy with reasonable accuracy using practical methods. Modern vehicles calculate mileage through onboard computers that monitor fuel injection, engine data, and distance travelled. Experts consider the full-tank method one of the most dependable ways to measure real-world fuel efficiency. Drivers simply refill the tank, reset the trip meter, drive normally, and calculate mileage during the next refill. Dashboard readings also remain reasonably accurate in many vehicles under normal conditions.

Experts further clarified that dealer diagnostic machines primarily identify mechanical or electronic issues affecting fuel consumption. These systems examine fuel injectors, oxygen sensors, airflow sensors, and engine calibration rather than measuring actual road mileage alone. Several external factors, including traffic, road conditions, tyre pressure, air-conditioning usage, driving habits, and vehicle load, also influence fuel efficiency. Therefore, authorised dealer equipment supports technical diagnosis but does not replace practical mileage calculations. The debate over E20 petrol and its impact on fuel economy continues across India.

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