Petroleum Minister Puri dismisses 'Manufactured Controversy' over E20 Petrol Amid Ethanol Programme Milestones

Petroleum Minister Puri dismisses 'Manufactured Controversy' over E20 Petrol Amid Ethanol Programme Milestones​

Ministerial Pushback on E20 Fuel Blending Concerns​

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has strongly refuted claims suggesting that the controversy surrounding India's transition to E20 ethanol-blended petrol is unfounded. Speaking to NDTV, Puri stated that the backlash only surfaced after the launch of E85 flex-fuel vehicles on June 5, not due to any increase in actual consumer complaints concerning E20 itself.

Puri emphasized that E20 has been available in the market for nearly two years, and its predecessor, E15, had been present for three and a half years. He questioned the timing of the current dispute, linking it directly to the recent unveiling of E85 technology by Hero, Suzuki, and Toyota. Puri remarked that someone must have assumed that if E85 gains traction in India, there would be grounds to cast doubt on existing initiatives.

Addressing Concerns Over Fuel Compatibility and Mileage​

While defending the programme, Minister Puri acknowledged consumer concerns regarding fuel efficiency. He confirmed that ethanol blending does result in a certain percentage of reduced mileage, stating that the exact extent varies depending on driving habits, vehicle type, and speed.

Regarding complaints from owners of older vehicles potentially needing part replacements, Puri provided context. He mentioned that a gasket originally due at 50,000 km might require earlier attention. However, he maintained this single instance did not indicate a widespread defect. Citing Hero Motors, Puri shared the statistic that 1.5 crore vehicles serviced by them have used E20 without any reports of complaints.

Puri also rejected calls for consumers to be offered multiple ethanol blend choices at petrol pumps. He stated that this is impractical because E20 and E15 cannot be mixed, citing infrastructure limitations at retail outlets as the reason.

Legal Dispute and Government Clarification on Ethanol Programme​

The current legal dispute originated from an appeal filed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) against a Karnataka High Court ruling. The High Court had previously directed oil marketing companies to reconsider ethanol allocation for a dedicated producer for the current supply year.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court ordered maintenance of the status quo regarding ethanol allocation for the 2025-26 supply year, overruling the previous High Court direction. BPCL argued before the court that reopening the completed allocation process could compromise national policy aimed at achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.

The Centre assured the Supreme Court during the hearing that the E20 programme is "still at an evolving stage." The programme’s stated goals include strengthening energy security, boosting farmers' income, and reducing carbon emissions. The Attorney General’s office later clarified their statements, clarifying that no submission had described the E20 programme as an experiment, instructing media outlets to report proceedings accurately.

Achievements of India's Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme​

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) reported significant milestones in India's ethanol-blended petrol rollout from a July 5 backgrounder. The blending proportion under the program has increased from less than 1.5 percent in 2013-14 to 20 percent in 2025-26, with India achieving the 20 percent target five years ahead of schedule.

Ethanol procurement also saw a substantial increase, rising from approximately 38 crore litres in 2013-14 to a projected over 1,200 crore litres in 2025-26. Production capacity is expected to grow from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2,000 crore litres by 2026.

The petroleum ministry has highlighted the economic security benefits of this programme. Puri stated that ethanol blending had saved ₹1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange and is vital for India’s energy security, given its heavy dependence on crude oil imports. This reinforces the ministry's stance that the programme supports farmers while reducing emissions.