Supreme Court To Hear PIL On E20 Petrol Policy Amid Growing Concerns Over Ethanol Blending
The Supreme Court of India will hear a PIL on Ethanol blending in Petrol. In April 2023, the Indian Government introduced E20 fuel, blending 20% Ethanol in petrol, to reduce emissions. This poses a problem for owners of non-E20-compliant vehicles, addressed in the PIL.
Advocate Akshay Malhotra had filed the PIL in the Supreme Court a few days back. The litigation will challenge the mandate of the government on Ethanol blending on September 1, 2025. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai, alongside Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria.
Notably, the PIL’s objective is to allow for an option of E0 petrol across fuel stations with a mandatory label describing ethanol content. Previously, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that Ethanol, with lower energy density than petrol, leads to a 1-2% mileage decrease in E10/E20 four-wheelers and 3-6% in others. The ministry claims that “leading automobile manufacturers have adopted improved engine tuning and E20-compatible materials to minimise this efficiency drop.”
However, this has only fuelled tension in the minds of vehicle owners. Insurance companies have said that they will not cover any damage to vehicles caused by the high content of Ethanol. The outcome of this PIL is awaited as a ray of hope for older car owners seeking clarity.
Moreover, the Indian government intends to introduce E27 petrol, which will harm existing E20-compliant vehicles.
