Is E20 Petrol Damaging Your Car? Kejriwal Demands Answers On Mileage And Repair Costs

Arvind Kejriwal has escalated his attack on the Centre’s E20 petrol rollout, saying vehicle owners should not be left to bear the cost if older cars and two-wheelers suffer lower mileage or component damage after using higher ethanol-blended fuel.

The Aam Aadmi Party national convener said on Tuesday that he would write to automobile companies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a written assurance on who will compensate consumers if E20 petrol affects vehicles originally designed for lower ethanol blends.

Kejriwal’s remarks come amid rising public questions over India’s rapid shift to petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol. The government has promoted E20 as a way to reduce crude oil imports, support farmers and cut emissions. Critics, however, argue that consumers need clearer choices at fuel stations, especially owners of older vehicles.

Kejriwal questions E20 petrol push

Addressing a press conference at the AAP headquarters, Kejriwal accused the Centre of “forcing” E20 petrol on the public despite concerns from vehicle owners. He claimed the government had asked six automobile manufacturers to publicly reassure consumers that E20 would not harm vehicles built for E10 or lower blends.

According to Kejriwal, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp told the public that E20 could be used in such vehicles without damage to the fuel tank, fuel system or engine, although mileage could fall by about 5 to 7 percent. He alleged that this was inconsistent with warnings in vehicle owner manuals.

He said he would write to these companies seeking a clear written undertaking. “If mileage falls by more than 10 percent, will they compensate the customer? If E20 use damages parts, will they pay for replacement?” he asked. Kejriwal said he would also write to companies that did not make similar public claims, asking them to clarify their technical position.

The AAP leader said the issue was not only about fuel policy, but also consumer protection. He argued that the owner manual forms part of the understanding between a buyer and an automobile company, and that any departure from those conditions should be explained in writing.

What the dispute over ethanol blending means

E20 petrol contains 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol. Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel, commonly produced from sugarcane, maize and other agricultural feedstock. India has expanded ethanol blending over the past decade to reduce dependence on imported crude and improve the economics of domestic biofuel production.

Most newer vehicles sold in India have been moving towards E20 compatibility. The concern is mainly about vehicles manufactured before the transition, especially those certified for E10 or lower blends. E10 petrol contains up to 10 percent ethanol, while E0 is petrol without ethanol blending.

Automobile compatibility depends on fuel system materials, engine calibration, emission control systems and manufacturer certification. Ethanol can affect rubber, plastic and metal components if a vehicle was not designed for a higher blend. It can also change fuel economy because ethanol has lower energy density than petrol.

Kejriwal claimed that vehicles made before 2023 were not universally built for E20 and said millions of consumers could face risk if E10 or E0 options disappear from pumps. He alleged that around 30 crore vehicles, including two-wheelers and cars, could be affected. The government has previously maintained that ethanol blending is being implemented under a planned national programme.

Demand for choice at petrol pumps

The central demand made by Kejriwal was that consumers should get a choice at fuel stations. He said E0, E10 and E20 should be made available separately, with different prices if required, so that vehicle owners can select fuel according to manufacturer guidance and personal affordability.

He also challenged the government’s argument that several countries use ethanol-blended fuel. Kejriwal said many markets moved gradually and retained alternatives during transition periods. He cited examples such as Japan, Thailand and Brazil to argue that large-scale shifts to higher ethanol blends usually require longer timelines and vehicle adaptation.

Brazil is often cited in ethanol discussions because of its long-running biofuel programme and widespread use of flex-fuel vehicles. Such vehicles are specifically engineered to run on higher ethanol blends. Kejriwal used this comparison to argue that India should not treat all older vehicles as if they were already flex-fuel compatible.

The debate has also drawn attention to fuel economy. Even where no mechanical failure occurs, E20 can deliver lower mileage than petrol with less ethanol because ethanol contains less energy per litre. For consumers, this means the effective cost of running a vehicle depends not only on pump price, but also on kilometres delivered per litre.

Why the E20 row matters for consumers

For vehicle owners, the practical question is simple: what does the manufacturer allow for their specific model and year? Owner manuals generally specify the acceptable fuel grade and ethanol percentage. If a manual limits use to E10, consumers may be reluctant to use E20 without written manufacturer backing.

The controversy could now put pressure on automobile companies to issue model-wise clarifications. A broad statement may not satisfy consumers if older models carry different fuel recommendations. Clear communication from manufacturers, oil marketing companies and the government will be important to avoid confusion at fuel stations.

Kejriwal said he would write to the Prime Minister next week asking whether the government or automobile companies would pay compensation if consumers report mileage loss or damage linked to E20 use. Until such clarity is provided, the issue is likely to remain a political and consumer-rights flashpoint.