Congress seeks accountability on E20 fuel rollout, alleges vehicle damage ignored

The Congress party on Monday demanded transparency and accountability over the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, alleging that the government has not provided adequate data to prove the fuel's safety for older vehicles. The demand follows Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's reply in Parliament on July 29, which Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said raised more questions than it answered.

In a series of posts on X, Mr. Ramesh said consumers and mechanics across the country have reported reduced mileage, engine performance issues, clogged injectors, corroded fuel lines, and accelerated wear and tear in pre-2023 vehicles after the introduction of E20. He cited a June 2026 independent survey of over 44,000 owners of pre-2023 petrol vehicles, which he claimed found significant adverse effects.

Mr. Ramesh also pointed to the NITI Aayog's 2021 Ethanol Policy Roadmap, which Mr. Gadkari cited in Parliament. According to Mr. Ramesh, that document itself acknowledges that E20 accelerates the deterioration of rubber components, including hoses, seals, gaskets, and O-rings, in vehicles designed for E10 fuel. It also notes that E20 increases corrosion risk in fuel tanks and reduces fuel efficiency by 6-7% in older four-wheelers, 3-4% in older two-wheelers, and 1-2% even in E20-compatible vehicles.

The Congress leader said the government has dismissed such concerns. He recalled that in September 2025, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri called complaints of vehicle damage due to biofuels "BS." Mr. Gadkari, during his parliamentary reply, claimed that E20 was rolled out after years of scientific testing and that there was no evidence of widespread vehicle damage. However, Mr. Ramesh argued that no real data or reports exist to support the government's position.

"Public anger is growing. People are demanding accountability and transparency. Meanwhile, the Modi Government's ministers are unable to convince anyone of E20's harmlessness because no real data or reports exist," Mr. Ramesh said.

The government has not yet responded to the Congress's latest statement. In the past, officials have defended the ethanol blending programme as a key step toward energy security and reducing carbon emissions. The Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission norms, which apply to all new vehicles, are designed to handle E20 fuel. The government has also said that E20-compliant vehicles have been sold since 2023.

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) released a report in July 2026, which Mr. Gadkari cited in Parliament. The Congress claims the report has not been made public and that its contents contradict the government's assurances. Independent experts have said that while ethanol blends can affect older vehicles, the scale of the problem depends on vehicle age and maintenance.

E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol, is part of India's broader strategy to blend ethanol with petrol to reduce oil imports and support farmers. The fuel was introduced at select petrol pumps in 2023 and expanded nationwide in 2025. Vehicle manufacturers in India have progressively shifted to producing E20-compatible engines. However, a significant proportion of the existing vehicle fleet was designed for E10 (10% ethanol blend) or lower.

As the debate continues, vehicle owners have reported mixed experiences. Some have noted no major issues, while others claim a drop in fuel efficiency and cold-start problems, particularly during winter months. The government has not announced any compensation mechanism for vehicle owners who might face repair costs linked to E20 use.

The Congress's demand for full disclosure of test data and a public impact assessment adds to pressure on the government ahead of the upcoming winter session of Parliament. Whether the government will release the ARAI report or commission an independent study remains to be seen.