Supreme Court declines plea on ethanol-content disclosure in petrol

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to examine a PIL seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol levels in petrol sold at retail outlets and greater clarity on whether vehicles can safely use ethanol-blended fuel.

A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale allowed petitioner N.K. Goswami, an advocate appearing in person, to take his case before the appropriate High Court.

“Go to HC and file it,” the Bench told Goswami while refusing to entertain the petition under its writ jurisdiction.

Goswami told the court that he was not questioning the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme. Instead, he sought information for consumers on the exact ethanol percentage in the fuel sold at petrol pumps.

“I am not challenging the policy. I just want to know. I have the right to know. Even when we buy a packet of biscuits we know the ingredients,” he submitted.

The petitioner argued that motorists were entitled to know the composition of the fuel they purchase, particularly in view of concerns about the use of higher ethanol blends in older vehicles.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani opposed the plea, objecting to the manner in which the petitioner had approached the apex court. He described it as a “proxy petition” and pointed out that the Supreme Court had dismissed a similar petition last year.

“He (Goswami) wants the Government of India to be answerable to him!” the Attorney General said.

The PIL had sought directions to ensure that every petrol pump nozzle and fuel bill clearly mentions the ethanol percentage in the petrol being supplied. It also sought an official database indicating vehicle-wise fuel compatibility, a transition plan for older vehicles and protection for owners against potential warranty, insurance and service disputes.

The petition sought the setting up of an independent expert committee to study the impact of the ethanol-blending programme on consumers, particularly those using vehicles that may not have been designed for higher ethanol content.

Goswami maintained that the petition did not seek to halt the country’s move towards energy self-reliance or challenge the policy behind ethanol blending. However, he argued that consumers should not be compelled to use fuel without being informed about its composition or its suitability for their vehicles.

The plea termed the lack of disclosure and limited choice of fuel blends a “silent, unconsenting compulsion” imposed on vehicle owners. It contended that the government could promote ethanol blending through incentives and public policy, but should not leave consumers without adequate information or alternative fuel options.

Goswami, who owns a 2018 Honda BR-V petrol vehicle, said his vehicle had been designed and sold before E20 petrol became an automotive fuel standard. He alleged that petrol pumps did not provide clear information on ethanol content and that consumers had no practical option to obtain fuel with lower ethanol levels.

The case focused on the nationwide expansion of E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol. The petitioner claimed that the wider rollout of E20 in 2025 had heightened concerns among owners of older vehicles over compatibility, mileage, possible material degradation and the absence of lower-ethanol alternatives.

According to the petition, NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, released in June 2021, had proposed a phased transition and envisaged the continued availability of lower-ethanol fuel for vehicles not designed for E20.

It noted that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified E20 fuel standards in March 2021, while the Bureau of Indian Standards issued specifications in 2022 for vehicles compatible with the blend. The rollout of E10-tuned and E20 material-compliant vehicles began in April 2023, while E20 engine-tuned vehicles started entering the market from April 2025.

The petitioner said he had submitted a representation to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on July 4, seeking measures to ensure fuel disclosure, vehicle compatibility information and consumer choice, but claimed that no satisfactory action followed.

The Supreme Court had dismissed a similar PIL on September 1, 2025. That petition had challenged the use of E20 petrol as the default fuel, arguing that it could affect vehicles manufactured before April 2023 and lead to reduced efficiency, material damage, safety issues and disputes over warranties and insurance.

The Centre had opposed that petition, arguing that ethanol blending supports energy security, reduces dependence on fossil-fuel imports, benefits sugarcane farmers and helps cut emissions. The government has also maintained that E20 offers improved acceleration and ride quality, while claiming that its carbon emissions are around 30 per cent lower than those of E10 petrol.

The government has further cited Brazil, where higher ethanol blends are used, and noted that major automobile manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai produce vehicles for that market as well.

(Inputs from IANS)