Amid growing discontent among vehicle owners against mandatory selling of E20 fuel (20 per cent ethanol mixed with 80 per cent petrol) despite lower mileage, another industry body on Tuesday issued a statement supporting the controversial fuel claiming that linking the fuel to poor mileage is not supported by scientific evidence.The Bharat Independent Ethanol Producers Association (BIEPA), in which Modi Naturals’ Akshay Modi is a key member and currently its vice president, called upon all stakeholders including consumers, industry, policymakers and media “to work together in ensuring that factual, science-based information reaches the public so that misinformation does not hinder one of India’s most important energy transition initiatives.”Terming information about E20 petrol on social media as misleading, BIEPA said: “claims linking the fuel to engine damage, poor mileage and excessive water consumption are not supported by scientific evidence, industry testing or real-world operating data.”The ethanol industry body also said that the growing volume of “conflicting and unverified claims” about E20 has created unnecessary confusion among consumers at a time when India’s ethanol blending programme is delivering measurable economic, environmental and energy security benefits.India’s nationwide rollout of E20 petrol marks a significant milestone in the country’s clean energy transition, it said and urged consumers to rely on verified information from the government, vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and scientific institutions.“Consumers should have complete confidence in the quality and safety of E20 fuel sold across the country and rely on verified information rather than misinformation circulating on social media. Misinformation not only creates unnecessary anxiety but also undermines a nationally important programme that is strengthening India’s energy security and supporting millions of farmers,” said Pushpinder Singh, President, BIEPA.“Any variation in mileage is generally limited to 2-6% under normal driving conditions, making claims of drastic fuel economy loss misleading,” it said.Published on July 14, 2026