Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interacted with vehicle owners and mechanics in Delhi to understand public concerns over the use of E20 ethanol-blended petrol.
During his visit to petrol pumps and vehicle service centres, Kejriwal spoke with several motorists who claimed they had experienced reduced fuel efficiency and mechanical issues after using E20 petrol. Some vehicle owners also alleged that their vehicles had broken down and required costly repairs.
Sharing a video of his interactions on social media, Kejriwal claimed that many people were unhappy with the impact of E20 fuel. He alleged that numerous vehicles had suffered damage and that fuel mileage had declined significantly, saying that “everyone is distressed.”
The AAP leader questioned the Centre’s promotion of E20 fuel and urged the government to provide consumers with the option of purchasing regular petrol alongside ethanol-blended fuel.
Kejriwal also alleged that the government’s claims regarding the performance of E20 petrol do not match the experiences shared by vehicle owners during his interactions. He criticised the Centre, stating that public concerns should be addressed instead of being dismissed.
Referring to criticism faced by those questioning E20 fuel, Kejriwal alleged that people raising concerns were being unfairly labelled and targeted. He appealed to the government to listen to citizens’ grievances and address their concerns through dialogue.
The Central Government has promoted E20 petrol as part of its ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing crude oil imports, lowering emissions and supporting domestic biofuel production. However, some consumers and automobile users have raised concerns regarding its impact on certain vehicles.
