The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition challenging the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The court, composed of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, passed the order after the central government opposed the plea, asserting that the E20 fuel policy benefits sugarcane farmers and contributes to saving foreign exchange. The government also questioned the credentials of the petitioner, leading the court to dismiss the plea.
The petition, filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra, argued that forcing E20 petrol on vehicles manufactured before April 2023, and even some BS-VI compliant vehicles from the last two years, violates the fundamental rights of vehicle owners whose vehicles are incompatible with E20. It contended that the absence of an option to purchase ethanol-free petrol (E0) and the lack of public awareness and proper labeling of fuel pumps breaches the right to informed consumer choice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the petitioner, clarified that the petitioner was not against ethanol blending but sought the continued availability of ethanol-free petrol for older vehicles. He also referred to reports indicating a 6% drop in fuel efficiency due to the use of E20.
Attorney General for India, R. Venkataramani, opposed the petition, calling the petitioner a "name-lender" and suggesting the presence of a "huge lobby" behind the plea. He defended the E20 policy, emphasizing its benefits to sugarcane farmers and the nation's economy by reducing reliance on crude oil imports. He questioned whether external entities should dictate India's fuel choices.
India's rapid E20 fuel rollout aims for economic and environmental gains, benefiting farmers and reducing emissions. The government has advanced the original target from 2030, planning to complete the nationwide rollout by the end of 2025. The policy is projected to save $4 billion annually in foreign exchange and has already provided ₹1.2 lakh crore to farmers while reducing emissions by 700 lakh tonnes.
E20 fuel offers several benefits, including cleaner air due to reduced emissions and support for the Indian economy by utilizing locally produced ethanol. It can also be cost-effective in the long run, enhance engine performance in compatible vehicles, reduce the carbon footprint, and promote energy independence for India. Vehicles tuned for E20 can deliver better acceleration, lowered carbon emissions and ride quality compared to E10 fuel.
However, concerns remain about fuel efficiency and potential damage to older vehicles. While newer vehicles are largely compatible, some motorists have reported mileage drops and potential damage to rubber seals and other parts in older models. Some manufacturers indicate that components of cars sold before April 2020 are not evaluated for E20. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has acknowledged a possible marginal hit on fuel efficiency in older cars. There are reports of mileage decline of up to 20% in E5 and E10 compliant vehicles after the use of E20 petrol.
Despite the concerns, industry stakeholders maintain that the benefits of E20 outweigh the concerns and have refuted claims about damaging effects on older vehicles. Companies like Renault and Toyota have stated that there is no adverse impact from using E20 in E10-compliant vehicles. SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) has said that auto companies will honor claims if any damage is caused to vehicles by E20 petrol. The government says that the use of E-20 gives better acceleration, better ride quality and most importantly, lowered carbon emissions by approximately 30% as compared to E10 fuel.
