After MG And Toyota, Renault Says E20 Petrol On Older Cars (Pre-2022) 'NOT Advisable'

One of the major concerns for many car and vehicle owners lately has been fuel. The E20 fuel currently being offered at petrol pumps across the country is not compatible with many older cars, and it is slowly damaging several vehicles. Many manufacturers have recently issued circulars advising their customers not to use E20 fuel in their cars to avoid problems. After Toyota and MG, Renault has now also advised its customers against using E20 fuel in older models.

A screenshot shared by a Renault customer on X has gone viral. Amid the ongoing confusion about fuel and vehicle compatibility, the customer had written an email to the manufacturer and received a response that was far from comforting. The reply read:

“Mr. Thakur, Greetings from Renault India!

Thank you for writing to Renault India Customer Care. We acknowledge the receipt of your query regarding E20 Fuel. We would like to inform you that the Triber - 2022 has not been tested for compatibility with E20 fuel. Therefore, the use of E20 fuel in your vehicle is not advisable. Assuring you of our best services at all times. Regards, Renault Customer Care.”

The customer had raised this query for his 2022 Renault Triber. Variant details were not mentioned in the post. He shared the screenshot with the caption: “Renault advises against using E20 petrol in my 2022 car. What should I do now? This is a new car and we’ve done just 13,000 kilometers in 3 years.”

This is a situation faced by many car owners today. They are stuck in a dilemma due to the lack of fuel options. Ideally, the government should have given customers the choice between E5, E10, and E20 fuel. While ethanol-free petrol is available, it is extremely expensive and not a financially viable option for most vehicle owners.

Renault’s customer care reply clearly states that cars manufactured before 2022 were not tested for E20 compatibility and the company does not recommend using this fuel in such vehicles, as it may cause issues. Many manufacturers have already released similar circulars, warning customers that if the engine suffers damage due to the use of E20 fuel, warranty claims will be denied and the company will not be held responsible.

Interestingly, it’s not just vehicle manufacturers but even petrol pumps that have started putting up circulars, mentioning that they are not responsible if water is found in the fuel tank of a vehicle.

Ethanol and Its Impact

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

While ethanol-blended fuel is marketed as eco-friendly, it is certainly less efficient. Apart from reduced fuel economy, ethanol is highly corrosive and unsuitable for older vehicles. Such engines are not designed for this new mixture, and it can corrode fuel lines, rubber, and plastic components, affect engine performance, and shorten the lifespan of cars and two-wheelers.

Older engines that are not built for E20 may also run leaner (with a higher air-fuel ratio), which raises combustion temperatures and can potentially cause severe engine damage.

Renault Clarifies

Renault, soon issued a statement clarifying the incident. It reads "Recent queries regarding the use of E20 fuel in vehicles tested and certified for E10 have prompted the need for clarification based on concerns raised by customers.

As per the then prevailing norms, E-10 was the declared fuel for the purposes of Type Approval and Production tests of the said Renault Triber (Model 2022).

To answer the specific query on E10 compliant cars, a rigorous durability testing was conducted jointly by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and ARAI, involving various fuel combinations, including the use of E20 fuel in vehicles certified for E10. The draft report of this study, shared with all OEMs (Pursuant to MoPNG letter No. P-13045(18)/19/2017-CC(E-13946)), while acknowledging that the present on-road vehicles are compatible for E20, concluded that there is no adverse impact from using E20 fuel in E10-compliant vehicles.

Based on these findings, no serious challenges have been perceived in Renault cars plying on roads using E20 fuel in E10 compliant and tested vehicles."