E20 fuel row: Who said what as Gadkari, Puri double down on blended ethanol, Kejriwal seeks three automakers' assurance?
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday pitched hydrogen as India's next fuel for transport after ethanol-blended fuel. Speaking at the
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday pitched hydrogen as India's next fuel for transport after ethanol-blended fuel. Speaking at the Navbharat Conclave, Gadkari claimed that he personally drives a hydrogen vehicle, and said that trucks and buses running on the fuel are set to hit Indian roads soon. "I drive electric, fle fuel and hydrogen vehicles; I have all three at home right now," he said. "I have all three cars in my house. Those who have understood, come to my house after the program, and take a ride in all three cars." Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What are the concerns surrounding the use of E20 fuel in vehicles? ⌵ Concerns about E20 fuel include potential higher maintenance costs, reduced fuel efficiency, and engine corrosion, especially for vehicles that are only compatible with E10 fuel. 2 Why did Arvind Kejriwal demand written assurances from automakers regarding E20 fuel? ⌵ Kejriwal demanded written assurances to clarify that E20 fuel will not damage engines or reduce mileage, citing discrepancies between automakers' public statements and the guidance in their vehicle manuals. 3 How has the Indian government addressed claims of problems caused by E20 petrol? ⌵ The Indian government has dismissed concerns as misrepresentations, asserting that thorough testing has ensured E20 fuel's compatibility with vehicles designed for E10. 4 What does the ARAI report say about the effects of E20 fuel on E10-compatible vehicles? ⌵ The ARAI report indicates that while E20 fuel can negatively affect rubber-fuel system components in E10-compatible vehicles, it does not adversely impact metallic components. 5 Should vehicle owners be concerned about switching to E20 fuel? ⌵ Vehicle owners should be cautious if their vehicles are not E20 compliant, as there may be risks of reduced performance or damage, especially for older models designed for lower ethanol blends.
"Now, hydrogen trucks are arriving. I recently launched Tata's hydrogen-powered trucks--one running on a hydrogen fuel cell and another new one that uses an internal combustion (IC) engine modified to run on hydrogen," he said. Gadkari's comments come at a time when public frustration is rising with ethanol-blended fuel, but the government has yet to accept or discuss the effect of E20 petrol on certain cars. Demonstration in New Delhi On Sunday motorists took to the streets in Delhi seeking an option between regular diesel and petrol and E20 fuel. Motorists said that the shift to E20 fuel would mean higher maintenance bills, worse fuel efficiency, as well as engine corrosion, Bloomberg reported. “A car is the second-most expensive thing that the middle class buys,” political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla, who led the protests in Delhi, told reporters. “The government has imposed E20 fuel on the citizens who have vehicles compatible with E10 fuel, and they are now facing the consequences.” What petroleum minister said Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday rejected such allegations and instead claimed that reports of customer problems with E20 fuel are a "misrepresentation". Puri stressed that the move to a higher E25 blend will only happen after tests are completed and discussed with automakers. "The automobile manufacturers, as well as the people who service these vehicles, all say there is no difficulty. Why this sudden interest?" he said, as per ANI. "It is a misrepresentation and I don't want to use stronger words." "We have been using E15 for the last three and a half years. We have been on E20 since April of last year. From April 2025 to April 2026, it has already been one year, and we are now another five months beyond that," he also said.
The BriefWire