India
oi-Oneindia Staff
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday intensified his campaign against the Centre’s E20 fuel policy, demanding that consumers should be allowed to choose between pure petrol and E20-blended petrol at fuel stations across the country. Addressing a National Town Hall at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, Kejriwal claimed that millions of vehicle owners were facing problems due to the increased ethanol blend and urged the government to reconsider its policy.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal held a New Delhi town hall against the Centre’s E20 fuel policy, demanding consumers choose between pure petrol and E20, lower E20 pricing due to poor mileage, and petrol price reduction below ₹84 per litre.
The event witnessed participation both physically and online, with AAP claiming that over seven lakh people joined the programme. During his address, Kejriwal outlined three key demands to the Centre, questioned the government’s justification for promoting E20, and appealed to people to avoid purchasing new petrol or diesel vehicles until vehicles fully compatible with E100 fuel are introduced.
Kejriwal Lists Three Demands Before the Centre
Addressing supporters, Kejriwal said the government should immediately provide consumers with the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at every petrol pump instead of making E20 the default fuel.
He also demanded that E20 should be sold at a lower price than regular petrol, arguing that ethanol-blended fuel delivers lower mileage than conventional petrol. His third demand was a reduction in petrol prices to below ₹84 per litre, alleging that fuel prices had been deliberately kept high.
According to Kejriwal, allowing consumers to decide which fuel they prefer would reveal whether people genuinely support E20. He maintained that market demand, rather than government policy, should determine the future of ethanol-blended fuel.
Questions Raised Over E20’s Impact on Vehicles
A significant part of Kejriwal’s speech focused on the alleged impact of E20 on vehicles manufactured before the rollout of higher ethanol blends.
Referring to testimonies shared during the town hall, he claimed that many vehicle owners had experienced lower mileage and engine-related issues after switching to E20. He also cited a LocalCircles survey of 45,000 vehicle users, claiming that 67 percent reported reduced mileage while 45 percent reported engine damage.
Kejriwal challenged the Centre to release scientific studies supporting the nationwide implementation of E20. He argued that if government agencies had conducted research proving the fuel’s safety, those reports should be made public for independent scrutiny.
He further alleged that instead of engaging in an open discussion, the government was discouraging criticism by targeting those who questioned the policy.
Claims About Automobile Manufacturers and Vehicle Compatibility
The former Delhi Chief Minister also claimed that he had written to 29 automobile manufacturers seeking clarification on whether vehicles produced before 2023 were fully compatible with E20 fuel.
According to him, none of the companies replied officially. However, he claimed that representatives of several manufacturers privately acknowledged that many older vehicles had originally been designed for E10 fuel and that prolonged use of E20 could affect performance and fuel efficiency.
Kejriwal alleged that manufacturers were unwilling to publicly comment on the issue because they feared action from the government. These claims have not been independently verified, and the companies mentioned have not publicly responded to the allegations.
He advised consumers to postpone buying petrol or diesel vehicles until vehicles designed for higher ethanol blends become widely available. Those needing a new vehicle immediately, he suggested, should consider purchasing an electric vehicle instead.
Alleges US Trade Deal Driving Ethanol Imports
Kejriwal also questioned the Centre’s broader ethanol policy, alleging that India’s increasing use of ethanol was linked to its trade commitments with the United States.
He claimed India imported one billion litres of ethanol from the United States last year and alleged imports could rise to five billion litres this year following the implementation of E20.
According to Kejriwal, the United States, despite being the world’s largest ethanol producer, does not mandate E20 fuel nationwide and continues to offer consumers a choice between lower ethanol blends and pure petrol at fuel stations.
He further alleged that India was being compelled to import larger quantities of ethanol under a recent trade agreement with the US. The Centre has not officially linked its ethanol blending programme to any such trade commitment.
Calls for Public Participation Against E20
Kejriwal urged citizens to actively participate in the campaign against E20 by sharing their experiences on social media. He encouraged people to upload videos highlighting issues they believe are linked to ethanol-blended fuel and tag him so they could be amplified through his social media platforms.
Drawing comparisons with recent public protests, he said governments are compelled to respond when citizens collectively raise their voices. He also referred to the recent student protests that, according to him, demonstrated the strength of sustained public movements.
During the event, Kejriwal reiterated that he was not afraid of legal action and urged people not to remain silent if they believed the fuel policy was harming consumers.
Town Hall Features Public Testimonies and Expert Opinions
Besides Kejriwal’s address, the town hall featured presentations by vehicle owners, mechanics, academics and content creators who shared their views on E20.
YouTuber Manish Kashyap claimed ethanol-blended petrol was affecting fuel pumps in addition to rubber components, while mechanic Aamir Khan said older BS3 and BS4 vehicles were experiencing carburettor-related issues after prolonged use of E20.
Professor Dr Anupam Saini questioned the environmental benefits of ethanol production, citing concerns over water usage, fertiliser consumption and overall energy efficiency. Delivery rider Neeraj Jha also shared his experience, alleging that his motorcycle suffered engine damage after using E20 fuel, affecting his livelihood.
The programme also included a satirical performance by comedian Shyam Rangeela, who mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a theatrical presentation highlighting concerns raised by participants regarding ethanol-blended fuel.
Throughout the event, Kejriwal maintained that the government should allow consumers to freely choose between pure petrol and E20 while making public all scientific studies and data related to the nationwide fuel policy.
