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  • Big revelation on E20 petrol, truth revealed in ARAI report, can danger increase for old vehicles?

    Big revelation on E20 petrol, truth revealed in ARAI report, can danger increase for old vehicles?

    Updated On:
    Jul 08, 2026 | 06:38 AM IST

    Summary

    The debate regarding E20 petrol has intensified. Many vehicle owners are claiming that the performance of their vehicles is being affected due to blended petrol, while the government is continuously calling it safe.

    E20 Petrol (Source. Navbharat Desk)

    Expansion

    E20 Petrol ARAI Report: The debate regarding E20 petrol has intensified in India. Many vehicle owners are claiming that the performance of their vehicles is being affected due to blended petrol, while the government is continuously calling it safe. Meanwhile, a report by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has further fueled this discussion. But this report has not been made public yet. But according to the report of The Times of India, the government and vehicle manufacturing companies decided to implement E20 petrol across the country on the basis of this study.

    Which parts can be affected in old vehicles?

    The report states that some rubber parts used in older cars built for E10 petrol, such as hoses, gaskets, seals and O-rings, may be affected in the long run. Over time these parts can wear out and may need to be replaced. However, it is a matter of relief that the report did not find any negative impact on the engine or other major parts made of metal. Experts believe that owners of old vehicles should get servicing and rubber parts checked from time to time so that any possible problems can be avoided.

    What was revealed in testing, how much impact on mileage?

    ARAI conducted long-term tests on different four-wheelers and two-wheelers. A BS-IV engine performed normally on E20 petrol while a BS-VI turbo engine revealed some technical issues after 265 hours of testing. Whereas in another company’s engine, thermo-mechanical failure was observed in the exhaust valve during 809 hours of combined testing.

    related news

    However, experts say that it would not be right to draw final conclusions on the basis of any one test as tests are usually conducted for about 2,000 hours to check the reliability of the engine. The report also states that using E20 petrol can increase fuel consumption by about 2% to 6%. Which simply means that the mileage of some vehicles may be slightly less.

    Also read: Delhi gets 300 new electric buses, foundation stone of high security jail with AI technology also laid

    What do the government and companies say?

    E20 petrol has been implemented across the country from April 2025 and the government is preparing to introduce more ethanol blended fuels like E22, E25, E27 and E30 in the future. Companies like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto say that their E20-powered vehicles have been tested for years and the fuel is safe in vehicles with normal maintenance. Regarding this, the government claims that E20 will help in reducing crude oil imports, controlling pollution and increasing the income of farmers. However, the concerns of old vehicle owners still remain, due to which the debate on this issue does not seem to be stopping at the moment.

  • Tata Sierra.ev launched at ₹18.79 lakh; Delivery will start from 15th July.

    Tata Sierra.ev launched at ₹18.79 lakh; Delivery will start from 15th July.

    India’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer TATA.ev has unveiled the all-new Sierra.ev, marking the return of one of the brand’s most iconic nameplates in a modern, all-electric avatar. Blending the unmistakable design heritage of the original Sierra with cutting-edge EV technology, the Sierra.EV delivers a premium SUV experience defined by innovation, performance and practicality.

    Designed for customers who value bold styling, advanced technology and everyday versatility, the Sierra.ev offers a spacious cabin, intelligent connected features, intuitive electric performance and exceptional capability. Built on the next generation EV architecture, it combines sustainability with comfort and driving confidence, setting a new benchmark in the premium electric SUV segment.

    Bookings for Sierra.ev are now open, with customer deliveries starting on July 15, 2026. The electric SUV has been launched at a starting price of ₹18.79 lakh ex-showroom.

    The launch of Sierra.ev comes at a pivotal moment for the Indian automotive market, with electric mobility decisively going mainstream. Strong customer confidence, improving total cost of ownership, rapid expansion of charging infrastructure, and a mature ecosystem are driving a structural shift in adoption, with EVs transforming from early adopters to a compelling, everyday mobility option.

    Launching the Sierra.EV, India’s most desirable SUV, Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, said: “Sierra has always stood for much more than mobility. It has been a symbol of innovation, aspiration and progress, bringing the future closer to the customers. When re-introduced, it once again broke new ground by creating India’s premium mid-SUV segment. Today, the Sierra.EV With, we’re taking that legacy forward and setting a new standard for what an uncompromising premium SUV can be in. Combining exceptional real-world range, intelligent technology, comfortable comfort and go-anywhere capability, the Sierra.EV delivers an SUV experience that is as transformative as it is desirable.

    The mid-size SUV segment remains the cornerstone of India’s SUV market, driven by customers who view their vehicles as an extension of their lifestyle, aspirations and identity. As electric vehicles increasingly become mainstream, desirability will play a key role in accelerating adoption. Sierra.ev is designed to lead this change. Even more than our most technologically advanced SUV to date, it represents a bold vision for the future – making electric mobility more aspirational, accessible and compelling, while supporting India’s transition towards clean, zero-emission transportation.

    Sierra.av: Key Features

    Tata Sierra.ev is designed to offer the complete premium SUV experience without compromising on electric mobility. It combines advanced technology, strong performance, everyday practicality and all-terrain capability, making it a versatile electric SUV for modern families.

    The SUV stands out with its luxury lifestyle, which includes a spacious and premium cabin, lounge-like comfort, connected technology, immersive infotainment, premium audio and intelligent personalization. It also delivers real-world EV supremacy through long driving range, ultra-fast charging and practical utility for daily commutes and long-distance travel.

    Go Anywhere, Do Anything (GADA) capability further enhances its appeal, offering great performance, all-wheel-drive capability, intelligent terrain management and confidence in a variety of driving situations. Together, these features position the Sierra.ev as a singular, all-purpose SUV that meets the diverse needs of modern families.

    Real World EV Performance

    Tata Sierra.ev is designed to provide a practical and seamless electric driving experience with an emphasis on real-world utility. It combines long driving range, ultra-fast charging, intelligent connected technologies and regular over-the-air (OTA) updates to make EV ownership more convenient. The SUV also features Level 2+ ADAS with smart route planning, in-car digital payments, vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) functionality, a 5G-enabled connected car ecosystem, and 22 advanced safety features.

    Main characteristics:

    The 75 kWh battery pack offers a claimed 500+ km real-world (C75) range. Fast charging is capable of adding about 263 km of range in 15 minutes, with 20-80% charging in about 26 minutes. Lifetime warranty on high-voltage battery for the first owner. V2L and V2V charging capabilities. India’s first Android Auto-integrated intelligent EV route planner. DrivePay for in-car UPI payments, charging and commerce. iRA.ev connected platform with over 70 features and 5G connectivity. OTA software updates via T.iDAL 2.0 architecture. Level 2+ ADAS suite with 22 advanced driver assistance features.

    go anywhere, perform anything

    Built on Tata Motors’ Acti.ev+ pure EV architecture, the Sierra.ev combines instant electric performance with true off-road capability. It features a dual motor all-wheel-drive setup, intelligent terrain management and advanced visibility system to deliver confident performance on city roads, highways and challenging terrains.

    Main characteristics:

    The dual-motor QWD setup with on-demand AWD produces 504 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h acceleration (boost mode) in around 5.8 seconds. Six terrain modes including snow, mud, sand, rock crawl and custom. Off-Road Assistance for advanced low-speed terrain control. Approximately 205 mm ground clearance and over 50% restart gradeability. 540° HD surround-view camera with transparent mode. Adaptive front and rear turn cameras for better visibility.

    The Sierra.ev will be offered in seven exterior colours: Pristine White, Pure Grey, Coorg Clouds, Bengal Rouge, Andaman Adventure, Rishikesh Rapids, and the exclusive Nainital Nocturne, which is available on the top-spec Empowered A QWD variant.

  • Bizliride adds 6 new Hyderabad franchises, plans to expand to 25+ cities.

    Bizliride adds 6 new Hyderabad franchises, plans to expand to 25+ cities.

    Bizliride has announced the addition of six new franchise partners in Hyderabad, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy to drive electric two-wheeler mobility across India.

    The company is strengthening its franchise network under the Franchise Owner-Franchise Operated (FOFO) model, with plans to expand to more than 25 high-growth cities. Bizliride is targeting to grow its electric vehicle fleet to 10,000 to 15,000 two-wheelers in the next 12-18 months as well as have a network of 30 franchise partners by March 2027.

    Through this expansion, the company aims to achieve approximately 150% growth in fleet operations and overall business scale within the next 12 to 18 months. The initiative focuses on collaborating with local entrepreneurs, enabling them to build and manage EV fleets in their respective markets, strengthening BijliRide’s presence in India’s rapidly growing electric mobility ecosystem.

    As part of its next phase, Bizliride plans to expand operations to urban agglomerations around Hyderabad as well as several high-potential cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Jaipur, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Indore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Nagpur, Ranchi, Surat, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mysore, Puducherry, Actively evaluating the markets.

    These locations have been identified based on the growing demand from logistics operators, gig economy platforms and urban commuters seeking cost-effective and sustainable mobility solutions.

    This expansion strategy will allow BijliRide to grow its electric mobility footprint while maintaining local operational efficiency through franchise partners who understand their regional markets and demand dynamics.

    Through the FOFO structure, franchise partners will own and operate their local fleet, while Bizliride provides the centralized technology infrastructure and operational framework needed to run the business efficiently. The company’s platform provides real-time vehicle tracking, fleet performance analytics, rental management systems, battery management protocols and standardized servicing processes, ensuring consistency and operational reliability across all markets.

    A typical entry-level franchise fleet consists of around 50 electric two-wheelers, with an estimated investment of Rs 14-16 lakh, depending on vehicle specifications and market conditions. Under stable usage conditions, the model is designed to reach break-even within approximately 12-15 months, while generating recurring revenues through fleet rental and enterprise mobility partnerships.

    Commenting on the expansion, Shivam Sisodia, CEO and co-founder of Bizliride, said: “Demand for electric mobility is growing rapidly in India, especially among gig workers and last-mile delivery operators. At this stage, our focus is on disciplined scale. The FOFO model allows us to grow responsibly by partnering with local entrepreneurs who understand their markets while leveraging our technology platform and operational systems. This structure will help us scale faster. “Enables and ensures that the fleet on the ground is managed efficiently.”

    In addition to operational systems, Bizliride supports franchise partners with driver onboarding, demand generation and marketing assistance, helping to maintain strong fleet utilization. The company also connects franchise fleets with gig platforms, logistics operators and on-demand local delivery businesses.

    Over the next 12-18 months, Bizliride aims to expand its fleet to over 10,000 electric two-wheelers across key urban and logistics markets, while continuing to strengthen its technology platform and operational support ecosystem for franchise partners. The company’s long-term vision is to build a scalable electric mobility network that supports both entrepreneurs and riders across India.

  • Mahindra XUV 3XO EV launched at ₹13.89 lakh

    Mahindra XUV 3XO EV launched at ₹13.89 lakh

    India’s leading SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra Limited has introduced an electric powertrain in its XUV 3XO range with the launch of the XUV 3XO EV, priced at ₹13.89 lakh. The new electric SUV is designed to meet the aspirations of modern, discerning customers by combining urban design, strong performance, advanced safety and cutting-edge technology.

    The XUV 3XO EV is offered in two variants – AX5 and AX7L and is powered by a 39.4 kWh battery, which offers a real-world driving range of up to 285 km. Performance highlights include a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.3 seconds, with the electric motor producing 110 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque.

    On the technology front, the electric SUV is equipped with Level 2 ADAS, which includes lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, smart pilot assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also has Adrenox connected car technology with over 80 connected features and built-in Alexa.

    Further enhancing the comfort and safety is a 7-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with Dolby Atmos, a 360-degree surround view camera and a blind view monitor.

    Design-wise, the XUV 3XO EV sports a confident, contemporary stance that is instantly recognizable as part of the XUV 3XO family. The interiors blend modern aesthetics with a premium ambiance, ensuring comfort on every journey. Along with its stylish appeal, the XUV 3XO EV also promises practical and affordable ownership. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin on February 23, 2026.

    Variant-wise pricing (ex-showroom):

    AX5: ₹13.89 lakh AX7L: ₹14.96 lakh

    Launched in April 2024, the XUV 3XO offered a range of segment-leading features, setting a new benchmark for the subcompact SUV segment. It has been a resounding success achieving approximately 1.8 lakh sales since its launch. The XUV 3XO EV is built on this premise for customers who typically use the vehicle for urban commuting and want an electric SUV that feels like a smart next step.

    Nalinikant Golagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, said, “The XUV 3XO has rewritten the rules by bringing together aspiration and accessibility at scale. With the Sure to meet everyday mobility needs, it combines instant electric performance with a package that is designed for confidence and ease in city driving.