Arvind Kejriwal has said in a post on the social media platform X that he will write letters to all the auto companies that attended a recent government press conference on ethanol-blended fuel. He wants these companies to give customers a written assurance that any loss caused by using E20 petrol in their vehicles will be compensated.
What Sparked the E20 Row
The debate around E20, petrol blended with 20% ethanol, has picked up pace in recent days. Questions are being raised about how much mileage drops when vehicles run on E20, what it does to engine life, and how safe it really is. A government press conference was held to address these concerns, with representatives from auto companies also taking part. According to reports, statements made by a senior official of one auto company at that very press conference contradicted each other.
Kejriwal's Two-Point Demand
In his post, Kejriwal laid out two specific conditions. First, if a vehicle's mileage falls by more than 10% after using E20 petrol, the company should compensate the customer for it. Second, if any part of the vehicle gets damaged because of E20, the company should take responsibility for repairing or replacing it. He argued that customer rights cannot be protected unless companies put such guarantees in writing.
Where the Government and Auto Industry Stand
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has already responded to questions about whether E20 petrol reduces mileage. Experts, too, have been weighing in on how much ethanol blending actually affects fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, a section of social media users has been opposing what they call the forced rollout of ethanol-blended fuel, and an important press conference on the issue was even livestreamed.
Public Reaction
Kejriwal's post drew a mixed response online. Several users backed his demand, calling it a win for consumer rights, while others questioned whether E20 petrol should be mandatory at all. A section of users also called for greater clarity and accountability from the government on the issue.
