India's government is facing significant backlash over its mandate to use 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20), which became compulsory in 2025. This policy has become a major political issue for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration and motorists across the country, especially given India is the world's third-largest car market. The controversy escalated after Attorney-General R. Venkataramani reportedly called E20 an "experiment" in a court hearing, a remark the government later denied, though video evidence surfaced showing him saying it. This has fueled public anger and led to planned protests, with many motorists expressing frustration over the lack of choice at fuel stations and the perceived negative impact on their vehicles.
Motorists are complaining about several issues, including lower fuel efficiency and increased wear and tear on car parts, posting numerous grievances on social media platforms like X. One viral video showed a motorist claiming his car needed repairs after only two months of using E20 fuel. Despite Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's attempts to reassure the public by comparing ethanol fuel's use in motor racing and acknowledging a potential "little" drop in mileage, public anger has not subsided. Critics, including opposition politicians like Priyank Kharge, argue that the E20 policy rollout lacked proper consultation and that the government is prematurely pushing the blend.
The government, however, defends the E20 program, citing benefits such as reduced carbon emissions, lower crude oil imports (saving approximately $1.9 trillion in foreign exchange), and support for farmers by increasing demand for agricultural feedstocks. They also assert that the blending program is based on extensive field trials, with 40,000 kilometers for cars and 20,000 kilometers for two-wheelers, which reportedly showed no significant negative effects on drivability, startability, or component compatibility, only a marginal decline in efficiency for 10% blended petrol. The Ministry of Petroleum compares India's program to similar blending initiatives in countries like Japan, Canada, the U.S., and Brazil, arguing it aligns with international best practices rather than being an experiment.
