After VW, Renault Confirms That E10 Cars Can Run On E20 Fuel

Renault India has issued a clear reassurance for owners of its E10-certified models, including the Kiger, Triber and Kwid, stating that these vehicles can run safely on the new E20 fuel blend. The confirmation comes after joint testing with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which showed no adverse impact on performance or durability. The announcement puts to rest customer doubts about compatibility.

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The concern began after a report surfaced in which Renault advised a 2022 Triber owner against using E20, saying the model had not been explicitly tested for the higher ethanol blend. That response raised anxiety among owners of older Renault cars at a time when the nationwide transition towards 20 percent ethanol petrol is picking up pace.

Following the backlash, Renault clarified that its vehicles certified for E10 had already undergone rigorous durability assessments using both E10 and E20 fuels. The results of these tests, shared across the auto industry, confirmed that Renault cars certified for E10 show no negative effects when using E20 in daily driving.

As per Renault India- “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. "

They further explained

"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"
 

Volkswagen did something similar a couple of days back after a user raised questions about E10 compatibility in his existing 2022 Polo rated for E10. The confirmed via reply on linked that E20 fuel is safe in E10 cars.

This update brings relief to customers just as fuel stations across India are gradually shifting from E10 petrol to E20. With ethanol blending forming a central part of the government’s plan to lower crude oil imports and cut emissions, automaker communication like this plays a vital role in maintaining consumer confidence.