The government has acknowledged that E20 petrol is currently costlier to produce than pure petrol at prevailing crude prices and can reduce fuel economy by 3-5% in some vehicles, but defended the ethanol-blending programme as a long-term energy-security move aimed at cutting India’s exposure to imported oil. The clarification comes amid a growing consumer backlash over 20% ethanol-blended petrol, with motorists raising concerns over lower mileage, possible impact on older vehicles and the absence of pure petrol or E10 at pumps. E20, a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, is now the standard petrol variant across the country.