Kejriwal Targets E20 Policy, Seeks Nationwide Review

A fresh political controversy has erupted over India's E20 fuel programme , with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal demanding that the Centre withdraw the policy and raising concerns over vehicle mileage, engine compatibility and consumer protection. The issue gained momentum after reports emerged that the government had described the nationwide ethanol-blending initiative as an "experiment" during proceedings before the Supreme Court .

In a video message posted on X on Friday, Kejriwal said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a rollback of the 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) programme . He questioned the nationwide implementation of the policy, arguing that any such experiment should first be tested on a limited scale before being rolled out across the country.

The former Delhi chief minister alleged that the Centre, through the Attorney General, informed the apex court on June 30 that the E20 programme was still being evaluated and that its future course would depend on the outcome. However, the government later clarified that the policy itself was not being described as an experiment, triggering a wider political debate.

Kejriwal's objections focus on three major concerns— reduced fuel efficiency , possible vehicle damage and the lack of consumer choice. Citing complaints from motorists, he claimed many vehicle owners were reporting lower mileage after switching to E20 petrol. His concerns stem from the fact that ethanol contains less energy than conventional petrol. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has acknowledged that E20 fuel may result in a minor drop in mileage, while industry estimates suggest fuel efficiency could decline by around 2-4 per cent under certain conditions.

The Centre, however, has strongly defended the programme, describing it as a key pillar of India's energy security and clean-fuel transition . According to government data, ethanol blending has helped save nearly ₹1.84 lakh crore in foreign exchange , reduce 909 lakh metric tonnes of carbon emissions , and generate about ₹1.58 lakh crore in additional income for farmers .

Officials maintain that E20 fuel is scientifically tested and safe for compatible vehicles. With India also exploring higher ethanol blends and flex-fuel vehicles , the debate has highlighted the challenge of balancing environmental goals, energy independence and consumer concerns.