Only some 20% of new petrol vehicles sold in India in the last 15 years are compliant with petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20), analysis of government and industry data shows.

India’s government is pushing for a rapid rollout of E20 and said in July it had reached its goal of selling the fuel five years ahead of schedule , replacing the existing 10% blend.

E20 is now the most common fuel in many regions, but there are no official notices at the pumps to tell drivers what blend of fuel they are putting into their cars and motorbikes.

Indian consumers complain the new fuel mix damages their engines and reduces their mileage.

The programme aims to cut oil imports and emissions by blending petrol with ethanol made from crops like sugarcane and maize. India’s shift from 1.5% ethanol

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