India aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending (E20) in petrol by 2025 under its National Biofuels Policy to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and support the agricultural economy. Building on this, E27 (27% ethanol in gasoline) is being evaluated as an advanced mid-level blend to further lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This study investigates the performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics of a turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDI) engine using E27 fuel over 20,000 km in real-world driving conditions, as part of a broader research program accumulating over 100,000 km across multiple vehicle categories. Key findings indicate that E27 achieves an optimal balance of emissions reduction and performance, with NOx and THC emissions decreasing by 12% and 5%, respectively, compared to E10, while CO and CO₂ levels remained stable, reflecting ethanol’s oxygenation effect and lower carbon intensity. Power output and acceleration improved slightly due to ethanol’s higher-octane rating and improved combustion efficiency.
Oil degradation and wear remained within acceptable limits, confirming E27's suitability for regular use without requiring engine modifications. The findings suggest that E27 blended fuel has potential and can significant future ethanol adoption strategy, which will also supporting its 2030 carbon reduction targets. Further research should focus on optimizing calibration in engine for different ethanol blends as the current study has focused on E10 compliant vehicle’s long-term durability, and performance of the with higher fuel blends aligning with real time usage pattern.