Tue Sep 02 16:15:46 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:

**Summary:**

A recent Supreme Court decision upholding the nationwide rollout of E-20 petrol (20% ethanol blend) in India is causing headaches for mechanics dealing with older vehicles. Mechanics report a surge in fuel system issues, including carburettor problems, engine degradation, and rust, due to ethanol’s reactive properties affecting metal, rubber, and gasket components. While newer vehicles are designed to handle E-20, older models are suffering from reduced mileage, starting troubles, and even potential fire hazards due to ethanol attracting bugs to fuel lines. Mechanics are struggling to resolve issues permanently, and while premium, non-blended petrol is a temporary solution, it is expensive. Experts suggest a detailed scientific study is needed to address the problems caused by E-20 in older vehicles.

**News Article:**

**Ethanol-Blended Petrol Causing Headaches for Mechanics, Owners of Older Vehicles**

*THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 2, 2025* – Despite a recent Supreme Court decision supporting the nationwide use of E-20 petrol (20% ethanol blend), mechanics across India are reporting a surge in problems with older vehicles. The blend is causing a range of fuel system issues, impacting performance and reliability.

Veteran mechanics, like George Abhraham of Thrissur, are struggling to address the issues stemming from the implementation of E-20. “We hardly had to service the carburettor of the vehicles in the past,” Abhraham said, “but now, bikers are repeatedly complaining about fuel system degradation, missing firing order, and rust inside the carburettor.”

The problems appear to be particularly acute in vehicles manufactured before the introduction of E-20 compliance. Owners report reduced mileage, sluggish pick-up, and starting troubles. Mechanics note that the ethanol is reacting with metals, rubber, and gaskets within the fuel system, leading to component degradation and blockages.

“The blending of ethanol in petrol not only reacts with certain metals in the fuel supply system, but also reacts with rubber materials and gaskets attached to the fuel supply line,” said Shalu V.S., a mechanic with 20 years of experience.

Even vehicles with electronic fuel injection systems are not immune, as Shyam Hareendran of Thiruvananthapuram experienced with his 2008 Gypsy. While premium, non-blended petrol offers a temporary fix, the high cost is prohibitive for many.

Professor Kamal Krishna, an automobile expert and member of a committee studying vehicle fires in Kerala, said that there have been reports of ethanol in the fuel attracting insects that damage fuel lines, potentially leading to fires. The committee has recommended a comprehensive study by the Automobile Research Association of India to investigate the broader impact of E-20 on older vehicles.

While the government aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions through ethanol blending, experts caution that the reactive properties of ethanol pose significant challenges for vehicles not designed to handle it. A thorough investigation and potential modifications to fuel system components may be necessary to mitigate these issues and ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of older vehicles on E-20 petrol.

Read More