Why Two Wheeler Riders Are Not Protesting E20 Petrol Mileage Drop In A Big Way: We Explain

The E20 petrol and its side effects have been discussed on several web portals and news websites multiple times. One of the major problems with the E20 fuel is that it reduces the fuel efficiency of vehicles. We have seen several customers come forward with this issue. However, most of them are car owners; we don’t see many two-wheeler riders protesting against the mileage drop. Why is that so, despite India being a major market for two-wheelers? Let’s find out.

The reason for this is, in fact, very simple. Only a small portion of two-wheeler owners in India own expensive and performance bikes. The majority of them own commuter-segment motorcycles, which they use to go from point A to B. Most people who own such bikes often go to a petrol pump and refill for only Rs 100–200. This is usually done because these bikes are fuel-efficient, and even 2–3 litres of fuel can actually get them to their destination and back.

This becomes a habit, and if you notice, almost every biker at a petrol pump follows this pattern. They don’t notice a fuel efficiency drop as they are not filling too much. They are left under the impression that they are either riding the bike too much or the petrol pump is scamming them.

We have come across several cases in the past where customers have complained about the quantity and quality of the fuel sold at some pumps. They often think that the reason behind not getting enough range is this malpractice. While this possibility cannot be completely ruled out, the other factor behind not getting enough mileage is the fuel itself.

If you want to know the exact fuel efficiency of your two-wheeler, the right thing to do is to take your bike or scooter to the petrol pump, fill the tank to the brim, reset the trip meter, and start riding. Ride the bike for, say, 100 km and then refuel. This would give you an idea of how many litres of fuel the bike needs for 100 km.

This process can be repeated over a period of time, and you will notice that the fuel efficiency of the bike is lower than what you used to get. You will notice that despite filling a full tank of fuel, you have to visit the petrol pumps a lot more than usual.

The reason why most two-wheeler riders do not complain about the drop in mileage is also because most of them are using old bikes, and many of them don’t have an instant fuel efficiency or average fuel efficiency meter. We usually see these meters on cars, which give car owners a fair idea about how their car is performing.

Ethanol

Ethanol is an alternative biofuel. It is considered one of the most promising renewable and eco-friendly fuels. It is made from by-products of plants such as corn and sugarcane. Ethanol was introduced to reduce dependence on imported fuels. Additionally, its production supports local agriculture and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making it a greener choice.

While the blended fuel is claimed to be greener, it is definitely less efficient. Apart from reduced fuel economy, the ethanol blended in fuel is highly corrosive and not suitable for older vehicles.

They are not compatible with this new mixture, and it can lead to corrosion of fuel lines and other rubber and plastic components. It can affect engine performance and also reduce the lifespan of a car or two-wheeler’s engine. Older engines that are not designed for E20 might run leaner (with a higher air-fuel ratio), which can cause higher combustion temperatures and potentially lead to engine damage.