Are Your Rising Fuel Bills Due To E20 Petrol? Kejriwal Confronts Government Over Vehicle Complaints

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has stepped into the growing public debate over E20 petrol, saying vehicle owners in Delhi complained to him about lower mileage and mechanical trouble after using ethanol-blended fuel. His remarks add a political edge to a consumer concern that has been gaining ground as India expands the use of 20 per cent ethanol in petrol.

Kejriwal visited a petrol pump and a vehicle service station in Delhi on Saturday to speak with motorists and repair workers. He said the accounts he heard did not match the Union government’s claims on E20 fuel, which is being promoted as part of India’s push to cut crude oil imports, reduce emissions and support domestic ethanol production.

Kejriwal says E20 petrol complaints need to be heard

After the visit, Kejriwal posted on X that ordinary vehicle owners were “deeply distressed” because of ethanol-blended fuel. He said several people told him that their vehicles were giving lower mileage, while others complained of mechanical issues after using E20 petrol.

“Today, I went to a petrol pump and a service station in Delhi to understand the ground reality. The government is telling blatant lies. E20 petrol is genuinely causing problems in vehicles. Ordinary people are deeply distressed because of ethanol. Almost everyone I spoke to said their vehicles' mileage has dropped, and many have complained about mechanical issues,” Kejriwal said.

He also criticised the political response to those questioning the fuel blend. “For the past few days, I have been observing that anyone in the country who opposes E20-blended petrol is being abused by ministers in this government. They are being called anti nationals, traitors, agents of the petrol lobby, unemployed social activists, and several other names. I want to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi that such arrogance is not appropriate,” he said.

Kejriwal said people raising concerns should not be treated as opponents of national interest. “All those who are raising concerns about E20 petrol are distressed by its impact. They are our fellow citizens. They are not traitors. They are patriots. It is wrong to abuse them in this manner. I want to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi that they should not be insulted like this. We live in a democracy. Listen to what they have to say. It is the government's duty to hear their grievances and address them,” he added.

Why E20 petrol has become a public issue

E20 petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. India has been moving towards higher ethanol blending for several years under the National Policy on Biofuels and related blending programmes. The government has argued that ethanol blending helps save foreign exchange, improves energy security, reduces some tailpipe emissions and benefits farmers by creating demand for feedstock used in ethanol production.

The Centre had earlier advanced the target of achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol to 2025. Oil marketing companies have been expanding availability of E20 fuel across the country. The transition, however, has also raised questions from owners of older vehicles, two-wheelers and cars not originally designed or certified for E20 use.

Automobile manufacturers in India have been working on E20-compatible vehicles. Newer models are increasingly being made compliant with the higher ethanol blend. But many vehicles currently on the road were designed for lower levels of ethanol blending, such as E10, or were built before E20 became a mainstream policy objective.

The key consumer concern is mileage. Ethanol has a lower energy content than petrol. This means a vehicle may travel fewer kilometres on the same quantity of E20 compared with pure petrol, depending on engine design, tuning, vehicle condition and driving pattern. Government agencies have maintained that the overall policy gains remain significant, but motorists often judge the change through fuel bills and maintenance costs.

What vehicle owners should check

For consumers, the immediate practical question is whether their vehicle is E20-compatible. Owners can check the vehicle manual, fuel cap marking, manufacturer communication or service centre advice. Many newer vehicles carry information about fuel compatibility. For older vehicles, authorised service centres are better placed to identify risks linked to rubber parts, seals, fuel lines or engine calibration.

Experts have also pointed out that the impact of ethanol blending is not uniform across vehicles. Some models may run without noticeable trouble, while others may show reduced efficiency or require inspection. Complaints about mileage can also be influenced by traffic, tyre pressure, engine condition, servicing gaps and driving habits, making it important to separate general wear from fuel-related issues.

That is why a transparent grievance mechanism matters. If large numbers of consumers report similar complaints, authorities can collect vehicle-wise data, seek inputs from manufacturers, and publish clear guidance. Without such communication, the debate can quickly become political, leaving motorists unsure whether their experience is isolated or part of a wider compatibility issue.

Kejriwal’s intervention is likely to keep E20 petrol in the political spotlight, especially in urban areas where fuel costs and vehicle maintenance are everyday concerns. The government’s ethanol blending policy remains a major energy programme, but its public acceptance will depend on how clearly it addresses consumer doubts, vehicle compatibility and real-world mileage concerns.