Arvind Kejriwal criticizes India's E20 fuel policy

Arvind Kejriwal, National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has criticized the Indian government’s E20 fuel policy, alleging it has caused both economic and technical issues. Kejriwal claims that diverting 25 lakh tonnes of sugarcane toward ethanol production has led to a spike in domestic sugar prices.

Regarding the automotive sector, Kejriwal alleged that the government is pressuring automobile manufacturers to remain silent about the risks associated with E20 petrol. He claimed that officials from several companies privately admitted that the fuel blend could be ‘extremely hazardous’ and cause severe damage to vehicles manufactured before 2023. Kejriwal noted that while he wrote to 29 manufacturers seeking clarification on vehicle compliance, he received no response.

He also highlighted concerns from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), noting that the group was reportedly forced to withdraw a report seeking alternatives for consumers after raising concerns about the impact of E20 on vehicles. To address these issues, the AAP is organizing a ‘Town hall’ event to discuss the technical and economic implications of ethanol-blended fuel.