Arvind Kejriwal Challenges India's Mandatory E20 Fuel Policy

The Indian government is facing public backlash and political opposition over its mandatory E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy, which replaced E10 petrol nationwide in 2025. Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, alleges that the government pressured automobile manufacturers—including Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar, and Hero MotoCorp—to falsely assure consumers that E20 fuel is safe for vehicles made before 2023, despite owner manuals warning against blends exceeding 10% ethanol.

Kejriwal has written to 29 manufacturers demanding written clarifications and compensation guarantees if vehicle mileage drops by more than 10% or if engine damage occurs. He has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make fuel blends optional, suggesting that E0, E10, and E20 be available at pumps with separate pricing. To support his claims, Kejriwal planned visits to service centers and petrol pumps on July 9 to collect consumer feedback.

Government officials have strongly rejected these claims. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari characterized reports of vehicle damage as paid campaigns and false narratives, challenging critics to name a single vehicle damaged by E20 petrol. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed the concerns as a misrepresentation, stating that manufacturers and service providers report no difficulties. While the government dismissed reports of an imminent E25 rollout, stating such tests are still underway, it has proposed amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to allow higher blends like E85 and E100. The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association also defended the program, noting it has saved India over Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange.