Ajay Raj, a government official in New Delhi, noticed a drop in his car's mileage and an increase in its maintenance costs just months after the government introduced 20% ethanol-blended fuel across India.
"The mechanic told me E20 blended petrol is making my engine lethargic and the rubber seals are not built for it," Raj told DW. "In the coming months, I may have to replace parts and recalibrate the engine."
Government aims for energy security and reduced oil imports
Meenakshi Natrajan, a sales executive in the southern Indian city of Chennai, also reported reduced mileage and potential damage to her vehicle.
"I used to get 18 kilometers [11 miles] per liter on the highway, but now it barely touches 13. I can see and feel the car losing power," Natrajan told DW. "The workshop has warned me that there could be injector clogging and the fuel pump could get damaged on E20 blend."
