By Elsie Kamsiyochi
India’s government is struggling to calm growing public dissatisfaction over its nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, a fuel blend containing 20% ethanol, after controversial remarks by the country’s top legal officer reignited concerns about the policy. The debate has intensified as motorists across the country report lower fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs and possible damage to their vehicles, turning what was once an environmental initiative into a major political issue.
The controversy erupted after Attorney General R. Venkataramani described E20 as an “experiment” during a court hearing. The comment quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread criticism from drivers, opposition politicians and consumer groups. Although the government denied that the policy itself was experimental, video footage of the hearing appeared to show the attorney general using the term, adding to public confusion.
Seeking to clarify his statement, Venkataramani later explained that he had been referring to the availability and supply of ethanol rather than the government’s decision to introduce ethanol-blended fuel. However, his explanation has done little to ease public concerns, with many arguing that the rollout was rushed before sufficient testing and public consultation had taken place.
India made the use of E20 petrol mandatory last year as part of its ambitious strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create new markets for farmers by increasing demand for crops used in ethanol production. The government has repeatedly maintained that the fuel is safe for compatible vehicles and will help improve the country’s energy security while supporting climate goals.
Despite those assurances, many motorists say they have experienced reduced mileage after switching to E20 fuel. Drivers have flooded social media platform X with complaints alleging that their vehicles consume more fuel than before and that some engines have suffered mechanical problems after using the blend.
One widely shared video features a car owner identified as Manish Kashyap standing inside an auto repair workshop, claiming his vehicle required expensive repairs after using E20 petrol. The video has attracted hundreds of thousands of views and has become a symbol of the growing frustration among motorists who believe they were not given enough information before the policy was implemented.
The government’s response has so far failed to silence critics. Officials from the government’s press office dismissed many of the online claims as misinformation and urged the public not to be influenced by what they described as “rage bait” circulating on social media.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also defended the policy, noting that ethanol-based fuels are widely used in high-performance racing vehicles. He acknowledged that fuel efficiency may decline slightly but insisted that the blend offers environmental and economic benefits that outweigh the disadvantages.
Nevertheless, critics argue that the government has not adequately addressed motorists’ concerns. Opposition leaders have accused the administration of pushing ahead with the policy without sufficient transparency or independent data to prove that the fuel is safe for all vehicles. Priyank Kharge, a senior leader from the opposition Congress party, questioned why citizens were being asked to prove vehicle damage while official studies on the fuel’s long-term impact were still pending.
Public opposition is continuing to grow beyond online criticism. Political activist and Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla has announced plans to hold a protest in New Delhi, saying thousands of people have expressed interest in joining demonstrations against the mandatory use of E20 fuel. Protest organisers argue that consumers should be allowed to choose between conventional petrol and ethanol-blended fuel until more comprehensive testing is completed.
The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, as India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing automobile markets. Any policy affecting millions of drivers has the potential to carry significant political consequences, particularly as concerns over the cost of living and vehicle maintenance continue to rise.
Despite the backlash, the government remains committed to its ethanol programme. Officials insist that increasing ethanol production will reduce India’s dependence on expensive imported crude oil, save valuable foreign exchange reserves, reduce carbon emissions and provide farmers with new economic opportunities by creating greater demand for agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane and grain.
For now, however, the E20 fuel policy has become one of India’s most closely watched public debates. As protests gather momentum and consumers continue to report concerns about vehicle performance, pressure is mounting on the government to provide clearer scientific evidence, greater transparency and stronger assurances that the transition to ethanol-blended fuel will not come at the expense of motorists.
Source Reuters
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