Bhubaneswar: As motorists across the state express concerns over the increasing availability of E20 petrol and gradual disappearance of ethanol-free fuel options, automobile mechanics and service professionals have asked the owners of vehicles older than 2023 not to panic.While most cars and two-wheelers manufactured before 2023 can continue to run on E20 fuel, they may require closer monitoring and slightly higher maintenance since the ethanol-blended fuel can slightly affect their engine components.Industry experts say the vehicles manufactured after 2023 are largely designed to be E20-compatible, but older models may experience gradual wear in certain fuel-system components due to the higher ethanol content. “The E20 fuel will not immediately damage vehicles. People can continue using it. However, ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere,” says Ajay Behera, an automobile technician having more than a decade of experience.He adds over a long period, changes may appear. “Moisture can affect rubber seals, fuel lines, gaskets and certain engine components in older vehicles that were not originally designed for such blends,” says Behera.According to mechanics, one of the simplest precautions is to avoid keeping the fuel tank nearly empty for prolonged periods. “When the tank is kept full, there is less space for moist air inside it. This reduces moisture accumulation and helps minimise the potential issues associated with the ethanol-blended fuel. Owners of vehicles not used frequently should especially follow this practice,” says Sanjay Das, a four-wheeler mechanic.Experts advise motorists to stick to scheduled servicing and replace fuel filters on time. “Ethanol has a cleaning effect and can loosen deposits that have accumulated inside older fuel systems. These particles may clog filters initially. Regular inspection of filters, fuel pumps and injectors will help avoid performance issues. We haven’t seen any major issue yet, but we may see some in time,” Pravat Jena, who operates an automobile workshop here, says.Vehicle owners, however, have been seeking information on the compatibility of their vehicles as discussions around E20 fuel gain momentum.
