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5 Advantages & 5 Disadvantages Of Using E20 Petrol On Older Cars
With the new E20 petrol, India is a step forward in reducing carbon emissions and import dependency. However, not all cars on the road are designed to handle it, especially older cars, within an exception of Honda cars made since 2009.
That said, here are the 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages of using E20 petrol in older cars.
Advantages Of E20 Petrol In Older Cars
1. Lower Carbon Emissions
Ethanol burns cleaner than pure petrol. So, even in older engines, E20 can help reduce overall tailpipe CO2 emissions, contributing to a greener environment.
2. Slightly Cheaper Fuel
Since ethanol is domestically produced, E20 tends to be priced a bit lower than regular petrol. However, it is yet to be seen if this advantage will be passed onto car owners.
3. Higher Octane Rating
Ethanol has a naturally higher octane number. This can slightly reduce knocking in some older engines that were prone to pre-ignition on low quality petrol.
4. Reduced Oil Import Dependency
By using ethanol-blended petrol, car owners indirectly support India's effort to cut down crude oil imports. It's a national advantage that comes from every refuel.
5. Future Compatibility
Even if older engines are not designed for E20, gradual usage helps owners adapt and test compatibility before E20 becomes the nationwide standard fuel.
(Also Read: Top 10 Tips To Protect Older BS3 & BS4 Cars While Using E20 Petrol.)
Disadvantages Of E20 Petrol In Older Cars
1. Corrosion Risk
Older cars with rubber seals, gaskets, and metal fuel lines are not designed for ethanol as it is corrosive, and may face corrosion and leaks due to early wear.
2. Lower Mileage
Ethanol has lower energy density than petrol. Older engines often lose 5-10% fuel efficiency when running on E20 petrol compared to regular petrol.
3. Performance Drop
Older engines are not calibrated for ethanol blends and may feel underpowered, this will be more pronounced on cars with carburated engines.
4. Hard Cold Starts
Older carbureted engines can struggle with cold starts on ethanol blends, as ethanol vaporizes differently than petrol.
5. Long-Term Engine Damage
Extended use of E20 in non-compatible cars may damage the fuel pump, injectors, and combustion chamber, leading to expensive repairs.
(Also Read: E20 Petrol In India: Mileage & Performance Concerns You Must Know!)
DriveSpark Thinks
Though E20 petrol is a welcome step towards sustainability, older cars weren't engineered to handle it. As such, long-term reliance could shorten engine life of older cars significantly. As such, making E20 optional at a lower price could be a more justifiable answer.
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