Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Against E20 Blend Petrol

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questioned the rollout of ethanol-blend petroleum and the lack of customer choice for ethanol-free petrol. The petition was filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra and heard by the bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, and Justice K Vinod Chandran. The order was passed after the Central Government opposed the PIL, claiming how E20 fuel benefits sugarcane farmers. 

Last week, senior executives from India’s automotive and petroleum sectors held a joint conference, clarifying that E20 fuel does not damage vehicles. They acknowledged that older vehicles' mileage figures decline from 2% to 6%; however, there hasn’t been a documented case of engine capsizing. The petroleum industry further highlighted that the Ethanol Blend Programme will aid in foreign exchange savings of $4 billion and payments totalling ₹40,000 crore to farmers in 2025.

In the court, it was contended that an ethanol blend causes corrosion of engine parts, lowers fuel efficiency and causes premature wear and tear of vehicles. These damages will not be covered by insurance, which in turn leaves consumers without a remedy. However, major manufacturers like Toyota and Renault argued that there are no adverse effects from using higher ethanol blends in E10-compliant vehicles. Additionally, the industry association has also pledged to honour warranty claims should any E20-related damage occur.

The ethanol programme has grown exponentially since its inception in 2001. The initiative now accounts for approximately 1,200 crore litres annually, which represents a procurement value jump from under ₹500 crore to roughly ₹85,000 crore per year.