Mercedes-Benz India says it’s absolutely ready for India’s E20 gas rollout, with all BS6-compliant automobiles bought since 2018 licensed for E20 compatibility. Over 1 lakh automobiles bought since 2018 are plying on Indian roads, and the corporate famous that they won’t face any points with E20 gas.
In keeping with Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, the corporate started engineering for E20 nicely forward of presidency timelines, guaranteeing each domestically produced and imported CBUs meet materials and emissions compliance requirements.
The model’s ethanol-readiness journey started a lot earlier — in 2012-13. Mercedes-Benz India performed a nationwide drive with an ethanol (biofuel) powered automobile, demonstrating its functionality and dedication to various fuels lengthy earlier than E20 entered coverage discussions.
“We made each automobile E20-compatible after we shifted to Euro 6 in 2018, two years forward of the business deadline,” Iyer stated. “From 2024, now we have even begun issuing E20 compliance certificates for all fashions, together with CBUs, after testing with ARAI.”
Older BS6 vehicles bought since 2018 have been examined for materials compatibility, which means hoses, pipes, engine elements and gaskets won’t degrade with E20 gas. Whereas efficiency and gas effectivity impacts on pre-2018 fashions haven’t been formally examined, Iyer stated prospects are unlikely to note a distinction in on a regular basis driving.
He burdened that Mercedes-Benz’s proactive compliance would restrict any unfavorable influence. “For patrons, there’s no want to fret about materials degradation. If shopping for a used automobile, they’ll at all times drive and examine efficiency,” he stated.
India set a goal of 20% ethanol mixing in gasoline by October this 12 months, 5 years forward of its preliminary goal. The nation was capable of speed up its timeline from 2030 to 2025-26 after efficiently reaching 10% mixing forward of schedule.
Iyer’s feedback come amid considerations among the many public and experiences on potential dangers related to the usage of E20 petrol. Many drivers, significantly these with older automobiles, concern that utilizing a gas with greater than 10% ethanol might hurt their engines. Apprehensions embody a unfavorable influence on gas financial system, a shortened engine lifespan, and the potential of costly restore prices.
Iyer contrasted Mercedes-Benz’s method with mass-market OEMs, noting that in lower-cost segments, automobiles had been usually engineered solely to fulfill prevailing rules at launch, growing the chance of compatibility points with increased ethanol blends. “The privilege of being in a premium section is that we are able to transcend regulatory minimums,” he stated.
Not too long ago, the federal government had come out with a clarification, attempting to deal with potential dangers related to the usage of E20 petrol. The federal government dismissed fears that E20 petrol severely impacts automobile mileage or damages engines, calling such considerations “misplaced”, whereas refuting “false narratives’ about insurance coverage corporations not overlaying injury emanating from the usage of the blended gas.
The federal government stated the brand new E20 gas provides advantages for contemporary engines and different advantages, equivalent to decrease emissions, discount of crude oil imports and rural help, far outweigh the minor challenges associated to gas effectivity or any influence on the automobiles, which may be managed via routine upkeep.
