Petrol: A recent public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court has sparked a new debate over the 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) being implemented in the country. The petition, filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra, has demanded that E20 should not be implemented compulsorily until consumers are provided with the option to choose ethanol-free petrol.
Danger for old and new vehicles
The petition claims that most vehicles manufactured before April 2023 are not suitable for ethanol-blended fuel. Not only this, but many vehicles with recently made BS-VI standard may also be damaged by E20 petrol. According to expert reports and vehicle manufacturers, adding an excessive amount of ethanol to petrol increases the risk of corrosion of engine parts, reduction in fuel efficiency, and premature failure of the vehicle.
Crisis in insurance coverage
The petition also states that if vehicles are damaged by E20 petrol, insurance companies will not compensate for it. Since the vehicles are not technically certified as suitable for ethanol-blending, the entire cost of repairs will have to be borne by the consumers themselves. This simply means that consumers will not be able to make any claim from either the manufacturer or the insurance provider.
Comparison with international standards
The petition filed in the court also cites the policies of Western countries. For example, a 10% ethanol blend (E10) is the standard in the US, but ethanol-free petrol is also available in the open market there. Similarly, in the European Union (EU), fuels with 5% and 10% ethanol blends are sold with clear labelling. In contrast, in India, only ethanol-blended petrol is being made available to consumers without informing them or without labelling.
Emphasis on consumer rights
The petitioner has sought four major directions from the Supreme Court:
Ensure the availability of ethanol-free petrol at all petrol pumps.
The amount of ethanol added to petrol should be clearly labelled.
The Consumer Protection Act should be strictly enforced.
A nationwide study should be conducted on the impact of E20 petrol.