Gadkari Defends E20 Policy
Key Highlights
- Nitin Gadkari said consumers can opt for pure petrol at a higher price.
- Government defended the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel.
- Ethanol blending aims to reduce fuel imports and vehicular emissions.
- Gadkari said there is no evidence that E20 damages vehicles.
- Pure petrol, if offered, would cost more than ethanol-blended fuel.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said motorists who do not wish to use E20 ethanol-blended petrol can choose 100% pure petrol, but they will have to pay a higher price. He defended the government’s ethanol blending programme, saying the initiative is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil while promoting cleaner and more sustainable fuels.
Gadkari said ethanol-blended fuel offers environmental and economic benefits by lowering emissions and supporting domestic agriculture through increased ethanol production. According to him, India’s large fuel import bill makes it necessary to expand the use of alternative fuels such as ethanol, biofuels and flex-fuel technologies.
Responding to criticism over reduced mileage, the minister acknowledged that E20 fuel may result in a marginal drop in fuel efficiency because ethanol has a lower energy content than petrol. However, he said the difference is minimal in normal city driving and becomes noticeable mainly during high-speed highway travel. He also challenged critics to present verified cases of vehicle damage caused by certified E20 fuel.
The government has maintained that the ethanol blending programme improves India’s energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Officials have also stated that E20 petrol is currently more expensive to produce than pure petrol, but the blending programme helps shield consumers from volatility in global crude oil prices while supporting long-term energy goals.
The remarks come amid an ongoing public debate over E20 fuel and demands for consumers to have more fuel choices. While Gadkari indicated that pure petrol could be made available at a premium, the government has also said offering multiple petrol blends nationwide would be operationally challenging due to fuel distribution and logistics constraints.
