New Delhi, July 20 -- The government on Monday said there is no verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol-blended petrol (E20), citing studies as well as real-world operating experience involving more than 23 crore vehicles across the country.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said, "More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars, including a large number of older vehicles manufactured before E20 certification, have been operating on these fuels without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending."

The minister said the transition to E20 "has bee...