Kejriwal Alleges Federal Pressure to Hide E20 Fuel Risks to Older Vehicles

Automakers Allegedly Silenced Over Fuel Compatibility

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has accused the central government of utilizing high-pressure tactics to prevent automobile manufacturers from disclosing the risks of E20 fuel. During a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Kejriwal stated that the Modi administration is forcing industry silence over how petrol blended with 20% ethanol affects vehicles built prior to 2023.

According to the AAP chief, a written inquiry sent to 29 petrol-powered vehicle manufacturers yielded zero formal responses. However, Kejriwal reported having phone discussions with representatives from nine of these firms. These officials reportedly admitted that the technical and engineering realities of E20 present serious hazards to older models.

Technical Risks to 300 Million Vehicles

The transition to E20 petrol threatens approximately 30 crore vehicles across India, according to Kejriwal's findings. The engineering concerns cited during his discussions include:

• Degradation of the engine and fuel train systems.
• Significant drops in fuel efficiency.
• Long-term structural damage to internal components in pre-2023 models.

Kejriwal described the enforcement of E20 as a form of institutional bullying against the public. He argues that the government is aware that these vehicles are not equipped to handle higher ethanol concentrations but continues to push the mandate without adequate consumer protections or transparency from the manufacturers.

Upcoming National Dialogue

To address these mounting concerns, AAP has scheduled a national town hall for August 1. This event aims to bring the technical fallout of ethanol blending into the public discourse. The party maintains that the lack of written confirmation from manufacturers is evidence of government-led coercion rather than a lack of data on the subject.

Source: The Hindu — National