Why India's petrol shift has motorists fuming

India's ambitious plan to make E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, the national standard is encountering strong resistance from drivers. A protest march, led by opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal, attempted to deliver petitions signed by over 200,000 people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, but was halted by police.

The government champions the E20 initiative as a strategic move to lessen reliance on imported crude oil and elevate farmer incomes. However, this transition is causing unease among motorists, who fear potential damage to their vehicles and increased maintenance costs. Social media has been flooded with videos alleging performance issues and reduced mileage, fueling public concern.

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more than 200 million two-wheelers and 300m cars had operated on E20 without any “verified evidence of widespread engine failures or vehicle breakdowns”.

Despite these worries, the government maintains that E20 fuel does not cause widespread engine damage. Junior Oil Minister Suresh Gopi stated in parliament that millions of vehicles have operated on E20 without verified evidence of major failures. The government also points to manufacturer data suggesting no significant E20-linked corrosion or wear, even in vehicles not originally designed for the blend. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged that some older vehicles might need minor component replacements during routine servicing, but deemed these issues manageable.

India's automotive industry has largely backed the government's policy. Representatives from Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car manufacturer, have indicated that their vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel. The government's push for biofuels has been accelerating, with ethanol blending increasing significantly since 2013-14, leading to substantial savings in foreign exchange and increased farmer incomes.

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easily managed during routine servicing