Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said motorists who do not wish to use ethanol-blended petrol can opt for 100% petrol, but they will have to pay a higher price, while strongly defending the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme amid criticism over E20 fuel.
In an interview with The Times of India, Gadkari dismissed concerns over E20 fuel damaging vehicle engines, saying the claims were based on misinformation and insisting that no complaints had been received by the government.
Asked whether E10 petrol could be made available at fuel stations alongside E20, Gadkari said the country had already achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending.
“How is it possible when we have achieved 20% ethanol blending, and E20 fuel is available at every fuel station in the country? People who do not want ethanol-blended fuel can go for 100% petrol, but they will have to pay more,” he said.
On the question of whether petrol pumps will offer multiple ethanol blends to consumers, Gadkari said the decision rests with the Petroleum Ministry.
“It won’t be appropriate for me to comment as it is for the petroleum ministry to decide. At some petrol pumps people have the option to buy E85 (85% ethanol blended petrol) for use in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). Over half a dozen vehicle manufacturers are ready to launch such vehicles. E85 costs less than E20. So, people have a choice,” he said.
‘It’s A Politically Motivated Misinformation Campaign’
Responding to criticism of the government’s ethanol policy, the minister alleged that a politically motivated misinformation campaign was being run against him and the government.
“The campaign is politically motivated. Certain people are targeting me and the government. There is also misinformation about E20 fuel damaging engines. All E10-compliant vehicles are fit for using E20 fuel. There have been no complaints so far about the fuel damaging the engine,” he added, while speaking to TOI.
‘No Complaints So Far’
Gadkari said automobile manufacturers have backed the use of E20 fuel and pointed to the absence of complaints from vehicle owners.
“Maruti Suzuki has publicly stated so. Auto manufacturers offer guarantees on vehicles. There are people in your office who are using two-wheelers and petrol cars, how many have faced a problem? A few days ago, I had asked people to write to my ministry in case they are facing any problems with their vehicles. There has been no complaint so far,” he said.
Acknowledging that ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol, Gadkari said the impact on fuel efficiency was marginal and largely noticeable during high-speed driving.
“E20 fuel was launched after being properly tested. As for mileage, in city traffic in Delhi or Mumbai, you will not see any major change, there may be some loss when you are driving at high speed on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. I have always said there is a minor mileage loss due to low calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol,” he said.
‘Ethanol Is A Small Part Of My Sons’ Business’
The minister also rejected allegations of a conflict of interest over his family’s sugar business, saying ethanol production forms only a small part of its operations and that pricing is determined by the Union Cabinet.
“That business is run by my sons, the programme is run by the petroleum ministry and the price is decided by the Cabinet. So, I have no influence over it. Ethanol is just 10% of the business and the factories run by my sons have less than 0.5% share of the ethanol business in the country. The companies have a debt of Rs 1,600 crore. Lot of lies are being spread,” he said.
Calling ethanol one among several cleaner fuel alternatives, Gadkari said the government’s push for biofuels aims to reduce vehicular pollution and cut India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
He added that the ethanol programme now extends beyond sugarcane to include feedstocks such as maize, rice, crop stubble and bamboo, benefiting farmers while promoting cleaner energy.
Controversy Around Ethanol-Blended Fuel
The Centre’s push to increase ethanol blending in petrol has triggered concerns among sections of vehicle owners and experts over its impact on engine performance, fuel efficiency and compatibility with older vehicles.
While the government has achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending (E20) ahead of schedule and maintains that all E10-compliant petrol vehicles can safely run on E20 fuel, some consumers have reported concerns about reduced mileage because ethanol has a lower energy content than petrol.
Meanwhile, the government has pushed back against what it called misinformation surrounding India’s E20 ethanol blending programme, issuing a detailed 10-point clarification about engine damage, water consumption, vehicle warranties, fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the E20 programme, under which petrol contains up to 20% ethanol, is backed by scientific studies, regulatory safeguards and international experience.
The minister had also said that India’s ethanol blending programme is safe and dismissed claims that using E20 fuel could invalidate vehicle insurance policies.
