BENGALURU, India — India has hit a major green milestone! The government proudly declared that it reached the goal of mixing 20% ethanol—a plant-based fuel—with gasoline, five years earlier than planned. This move puts India in the company of countries like Brazil and Japan, all pushing cleaner fuels to fight climate change. The 20% ethanol blend, or E20, is now sold at most fuel pumps across India, replacing lower ethanol blends. Ethanol is usually made from plants like corn, sugarcane, or rice, and is cleaner than normal petrol. The government says this switch has cut carbon emissions by 74 billion kilograms and saved over $12 billion on oil imports in the past decade. That’s like planting 300 million trees! But not all is smooth riding. Many Indian car owners, like businessman Vijay Ramakrishnan from Chennai, have noticed their mileage dropping sharply. ''I think it’s good for the environment,'' he says, ''But this drop in mileage with fuel already so costly is adding to my expenses.'' Popular YouTuber Amit Khare reports many complaints about E20, with older cars experiencing engine trouble. ‘‘E5 works best, E10 is okay, but E20 has caused a lot of problems,’’ he shares. Ramya Natarajan from Bengaluru’s Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy agrees mileage can drop if cars aren’t suited for E20. On the farming front, things get spicy too. Ramandeep Mann, a farmer from Punjab, says many farmers planted more corn hoping to sell for ethanol, but ended up with falling prices as the government bought more rice for ethanol production. Prices for sugarcane have also dropped, causing worry among farmers. Natarajan warns that raising ethanol crops could push out food crops, which is a tricky balancing act. Experts highlight that biofuels made from waste or leftovers have low environmental harm, but growing crops specifically for fuel raises emissions from fertilizers and machinery. Energy expert Purva Jain points out that India’s push for ethanol helps cut emissions and oil imports and supports farmers. But she suggests speeding up electric vehicle use might be smarter for land and energy use. CK Jain, president of the Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association, pushes for even higher ethanol blends, saying, ''We need to have higher blending as soon as possible, otherwise the industry will go into deep financial trouble.'' Others call for a middle path. Natarajan says a 10% ethanol blend could be a 'win-win,' balancing less impact on food crops and still helping the environment. Khare insists that keeping options for lower blends like E5 or E10 is good for older cars. ''The government can bring E20 or even E85 programs on top of that, that’s completely fine. But consumers need to be given the option,'' he says. India’s ethanol story is a bold, spicy mix of green dreams and real-life challenges, showing how going green sometimes means juggling the needs of the planet, drivers, and farmers alike.