"Will companies compensate if E-20 fuel damages older vehicles?": Arvind Kejriwal ask auto firms
New Delhi, July 8
Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he has written to 29 auto manufacturing companies over concerns regarding the use of E-20 fuel in older vehicles.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Kejriwal said he had sent separate letters to three companies, Maruti, Toyota, and Hero, which had earlier stated at a government press conference that E-20 fuel would not cause any problem in older vehicles.
"Today, I have written to 29 auto manufacturing companies. I sent separate letters to three companies Maruti, Toyota, and Hero- which had stated in a government press conference that E-20 fuel will not cause any problem in older vehicles. I pointed out to these three companies specify in their owner's manuals that older vehicles should not use fuel with an ethanol content higher than E-10," Kejriwal said.
He added that he had posed two specific questions to the companies.
"So, I have asked them two questions: If the use of E-20 results in a mileage drop of more than five per cent or causes damage to any component, will compensation be provided? They should inform the public whether E20 can be used in automobiles made by them before 2023. If yes, then in case of mileage issues or damage to any component, will the company compensate for the loss?," Kejriwal asked.
Earlier, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said reports of customer problems with E20 fuel are a "misrepresentation", and stressed that the move to a higher E25 blend will only happen after tests are completed and discussed with automakers.
Dismissing the controversy around 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol, Puri said both car manufacturers and consumers have accepted the fuel.
"The automobile manufacturers, as well as the people who service these vehicles, all say there is no difficulty. Why this sudden interest?" he said.
"It is a misrepresentation and I don't want to use stronger words."The Minister noted that India has been gradually increasing ethanol blending.
"We have been using E15 for the last three and a half years. We have been on E20 since April of last year. From April 2025 to April 2026, it has already been one year, and we are now another five months beyond that," he said.
According to Puri, 20 crore two-wheelers and 20 lakh four-wheelers are currently running on ethanol-blended petrol. "The car manufacturers are comfortable with E20. Each one of them has made a statement to that effect. Consumers also appreciate the product," he added.
On calls to move to E25, Puri said the government is not rushing the decision.
"If someone is suggesting E25, we have made it clear that we are conducting tests. Those tests will take time. Once the reports are available, we will evaluate them. Then we will discuss the findings with the stakeholders and the automobile manufacturers. After all, I neither manufacture the cars nor the fuel," he said.
The Minister also updated on the E85 rollout, saying it has only just begun. "We have only begun the rollout of E85, and that rollout will take some time because new petrol pumps and related infrastructure need to be put in place," he said.
The government is targeting 20 per cent ethanol blending nationwide under its Ethanol Blended Petrol programme to cut import dependence and support farmers. Puri maintained that the transition is proceeding in phases, based on technical data and industry feedback.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally someone asking the right questions! My family has a 2018 WagonR and we've noticed a 10-12% drop in mileage after switching to E20 fuel. Service center says it's "normal" but who's going to compensate for the extra fuel cost? 🤔 Also, the government is rushing this without proper testing—Puri's "car manufacturers are comfortable" statement sounds like a script. Public deserves transparency.
I think both sides have a point. Ethanol blending is good for farmers and reduces import bill—nobody denies that. But thrusting E20 on older vehicles without retrofitting solutions is unfair. Why can't the government provide subsidized ethanol-compatible carburetors or fuel injectors for pre-2020 vehicles? That would be a win-win. Kejriwal is right to demand compensation, but the solution isn't just asking questions—it's about practical policy.
Typical Kejriwal drama. He should instead focus on why his government hasn't fixed Delhi's pollution or why Yamuna is still toxic. E20 is a national policy for energy security—if older cars can't handle it, replace them. The government already has scrappage policy. But no, let's make noise about compensation while millions of farmers benefit from ethanol procurement. Priorities, sir! 😤
As someone who works in the auto sector, let me clarify: ethanol is corrosive to rubber seals, plastic parts, and even some metals in older engines. The companies are legally covered because their manuals specify E10 limit. But morally, they should stand by their customers. I appreciate Kejriwal for holding them accountable. Also, why is Puri getting defensive? If there's "no difficulty," then a simple yes/no on compensation should be easy. 🤷♀️
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.