Nitin Gadkari Defends E20 Petrol Rollout in Indian Parliament

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on July 30 that E20 petrol—a blend of 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol—does not cause significant engine damage or reduce mileage for most vehicles. He cited joint studies by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the Indian Institute of Petroleum, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, and the Automotive Research Association of India to support these claims.

Gadkari clarified that Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2005, and 2016 might require the replacement of certain gaskets and rubber parts. He stated these updates could be handled during routine servicing without additional financial liability. However, the government acknowledged that fuel efficiency in older vehicles designed for E10 fuel may drop by 2-6%.

The rollout faces criticism from political opponents, including Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, who alleged that the government pressured manufacturers to hide compatibility issues to avoid compensation claims.

Defending the program's economic impact, Gadkari reported that the blending initiative saved ₹1.98 lakh crore in foreign exchange and replaced 317 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil imports. He asserted that the program prevented retail petrol prices from spiking to ₹125 per litre during the West Asia crisis, maintaining a price of ₹94.77 per litre in Delhi.