Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal organised a national townhall event on August 1, 2023, in New Delhi, to protest the rollout of the E20 petrol policy across India. The programme took place outside the Constitution Club and attracted attention for its critical stance on the government’s approach to this new fuel initiative.

During the event, Kejriwal expressed concerns over the contradictory statements made by the Union Ministry about the E20 policy, which blends petrol with ethanol. He asserted that there has not been sufficient research to justify the abrupt implementation of this policy, labelling it as being enforced upon the public without proper consultation or evidence.

Kejriwal pointed out that the inconsistent declarations about the benefits of E20 raise questions about the government’s motives. He claimed that vehicles are allegedly suffering from damage and decreased mileage due to the ethanol blend, thereby questioning the reliability of the fuel policy being promoted by the current administration.

BJP’s Role and Consumer Choice Highlighted

Saurabh Bhardwaj, an AAP leader, joined Kejriwal in opposing the E20 policy, calling for consumers to have the option of choosing between pure petrol and ethanol-blended fuel at petrol stations. He articulated that many individuals have reported concerns regarding reduced fuel efficiency and potential harm to their vehicles’ fuel systems due to E20 petrol.

Bhardwaj underscored that the aim of the townhall was to unite voices from Delhi and nearby areas to collectively address apprehensions surrounding the E20 policy. He mentioned that numerous petitions had already been submitted to advocate for the availability of pure petrol, reflecting public sentiment against the ethanol blend.

Advocating for consumer rights, he reiterated the necessity for petrol stations to offer a choice, suggesting that the introduction of E20 should not eliminate the option for traditional petrol. The townhall meeting sought to empower citizens to express their discontent and apprehensions regarding the policy.

Government’s Defence Against Claims

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas attempted to counteract the criticisms directed at the E20 policy on August 1, 2023, by labelling the opposition’s assertions as misleading. The ministry claimed that there is no substantiated evidence linking E20 petrol to extensive engine damage, citing years of scientific evaluation and practical application across millions of vehicles.

In response to discussions arising on social media, the ministry affirmed that their conclusions are informed by over 25 years of gradual implementation, ongoing field assessments, and extensive consultations with industry stakeholders. This longstanding experience, they asserted, supports the viability of E20 as a sustainable fuel option.

Moreover, the ministry referenced service data conducted by a prominent automobile manufacturer, which noted that in the fiscal year 2025-26, around 2.84 crore vehicles were serviced. Of these, approximately 1.5 crore vehicles had not been certified as compatible with E20 yet reportedly did not exhibit issues such as corrosion or abnormal wear attributed to the new fuel blend.

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