New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a public interest litigation challenging the Centre’s decision to make E20 petrol (20 per cent ethanol blend) the default fuel across the country.
The petition argued that mandating E20 for a largely non-compatible vehicle fleet, particularly models manufactured before April 2023, could cause material damage, pose safety hazards, reduce mileage and lead to denial of warranty and insurance claims.
According to the causelist published on the apex court’s website, a Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran will take up the case for hearing.
The PIL contended that the rollout of E20 as the default petrol eroded consumer choice, amounted to unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and infringed upon citizens’ rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. It further argued that mandating the fuel without phased transition, safeguards or alternative options at retail outlets constituted arbitrary State action in violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), 21 and 300A.
The plea also highlighted that both the government and automobile industry had earlier acknowledged efficiency loss at E20 in the absence of engine modifications, and envisaged E10 as a protection fuel. However, it said the present rollout disregards those preconditions and international practices that require pump disclosures and the availability of lower-blend options.
In response, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas maintained that E20 offers better acceleration, smoother ride quality and reduces carbon emissions by around 30 per cent compared to E10. It pointed out that countries such as Brazil have successfully used higher ethanol blends like E27 for years without problems, and the same automobile manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, supply vehicles there as well.
The ministry added that despite ethanol being costlier than petrol, oil companies have continued with the blending program as it enhances energy security, raises farmers’ incomes and supports environmental sustainability.