Congress Questions E20 Petrol Rollout, Seeks Halt Until Trial Results Are Made Public

Shimla: The Congress on Wednesday stepped up its criticism of the Centre’s nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, alleging that millions of vehicle owners are being made part of an “unverified experiment” without sufficient transparency about its impact on vehicle performance.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Congress national spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore accused the Central Government of introducing the ethanol-blended fuel without completing adequate testing and claimed that the move was causing financial losses for consumers.

Rathore alleged that the government has effectively turned citizens’ vehicles into a “laboratory,” arguing that a fuel still under evaluation should not be used on such a large scale.

Referring to proceedings before the Supreme Court on June 30, he claimed that the Attorney General of India had described the use of E20 petrol as an ongoing “experiment” that had not yet been fully implemented. Questioning the rationale behind a nationwide rollout, Rathore said experiments should be limited to a controlled number of vehicles rather than being extended to millions of motorists across the country.

“If this is merely an experiment, why has it been imposed on the entire country?” he asked, adding that ordinary citizens should not be forced to bear the risks of a trial process.

The Congress leader further alleged that E20 petrol is adversely affecting vehicle engines and reducing fuel efficiency. According to him, consumers are reporting engine-related issues and lower mileage after switching to the ethanol-blended fuel. He also claimed that even officials associated with the petroleum sector have acknowledged concerns regarding fuel efficiency.

Rathore questioned whether the government would compensate vehicle owners if their engines suffer damage due to the use of E20 petrol. He alleged that the Centre continues to defend the policy to support ethanol-producing companies while ignoring concerns being raised by consumers.

He also challenged the economic rationale behind the ethanol-blending programme, claiming that despite the introduction of E20 petrol, consumers have not seen any reduction in fuel prices. Citing figures, he alleged that the profits of oil marketing companies increased substantially between 2024-25 and 2025-26, while the burden on consumers remained unchanged.

The Congress spokesperson further claimed that older vehicles, two-wheelers, and agricultural machinery used by farmers and horticulturists could be particularly vulnerable to the effects of ethanol-blended fuel, raising concerns about its suitability for a large section of vehicle owners.

Demanding immediate intervention, Rathore called for the suspension of E20 petrol sales until the findings of the government’s trials are placed in the public domain. He also urged the Centre to give consumers a choice between conventional petrol and ethanol-blended fuel so that vehicle owners can make informed decisions based on their individual requirements.

The issue, he said, is not just about fuel policy but also about protecting consumers from potential financial losses and ensuring transparency in decisions that affect millions of people across the country.