PIL Filed in Supreme Court Claims Ethanol Blending Violates Consumer Protection Act

Protesting against the nationwide rollout of E20 blended fuel in India and withdrawal of non-blended fuel, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court of India, claiming that this violates not only the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, but also the fundamental rights of the citizens of India.

The PIL seeks a court ruling compelling petroleum corporations to reintroduce and continue to offer pure unblended petrol, and also enforcing clear labels at petrol pumps indicating that E20 fuel contains 20 percent ethanol.   

Advocate Akshay Malhotra contends that the government has not adequately prepared for and communicated this change, so millions of Indian vehicle owners and drivers are not aware that the petrol they are pumping into their cars at fuel stations across the country is actually E20, or a 20 percent Ethanol blend. The petition specifically cites this as depriving consumers of the right to make an informed choice, therefore violating the law.

Further, the PIL argues that reduced fuel efficiency leads to higher costs of vehicle ownership, and ethanol content results in an increased likelihood of corrosion and wear and tear to engine parts, all of which cause undue burden to Indian car buyers. Suggesting that vehicles manufactured even in the recent past might not be designed to be compatible with E20 fuel, as a result of manufacturers not having enough time or information to prepare for this transition in advance. 

The petition cites advisories from vehicle manufacturers and taps into current consumer dissatisfaction, as has been expressed on social media around issues such as potential damage to plastic and rubber engine parts as well as corrosion and insurance coverage issues. It even notes that fuel prices have not come down despite the government having claimed in the past that ethanol blending will reduce costs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have defended the move to standardise only E20 fuel across India and the ongoing Ethanol Blended Fuel Programme itself. The next step will be 27 percent Ethanol blending, with guidelines expected to be announced this year.