The Supreme Court will hear a PIL on September 1 challenging the Centre’s E20 Petrol Policy mandating 20% ethanol blending in fuel. A bench led by CJI BR Gavai will examine concerns over vehicle safety and consumer impact.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on September 1, 2025, that challenges the Union government’s E20 Petrol Policy, which makes it compulsory to blend 20% ethanol with petrol sold across the country.
The matter has been listed before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, along with Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N.V. Anjaria.
The case is expected to have wide implications, as millions of vehicle owners across India may be affected by the move.
The E20 policy was introduced with the objective of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions, and promoting the use of cleaner energy alternatives.
However, several concerns have been raised about its implementation. Critics argue that most vehicles currently in use in India are not technically compatible with E20 fuel, and running them on this blend could damage engines, reduce efficiency, and impose additional costs on consumers.
The petition before the Supreme Court seeks a judicial review of the policy, contending that the government has rushed its implementation without adequately considering consumer safety, automobile readiness, and long-term effects.
The upcoming hearing is expected to attract wide attention, as the outcome will not only determine the future of India’s ethanol-blended fuel policy but also shape the balance between environmental goals, public interest, and consumer rights.
Background
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court by advocate Akshay Malhotra, challenging the government’s decision to roll out 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol (E20) across India without giving consumers the option to purchase normal petrol.
The petition argues that vehicles manufactured before April 2023 are not designed to handle fuel with 20% ethanol. Even relatively new BS-VI compliant vehicles, which came into the market just two years ago, are not fully compatible with this high ethanol content.
According to the plea, studies and reports from automobile manufacturers and research institutions reveal that blending petrol with ethanol causes multiple issues. These include corrosion of engine parts, reduced fuel efficiency, and faster wear and tear of vehicle components.
The petitioner has further warned that such damage will not be covered under existing insurance policies. If a vehicle suffers harm due to the use of E20 fuel, owners may not get any compensation. As stated in the petition:
“As the vehicles are not compatible with ethanol blended petrol which will result in damage to the said vehicles, the claim raised in this regard will not be covered by the manufacturers or the insurance companies as the consumers have violated the terms specified.”
Drawing comparisons with other jurisdictions, the plea points out that in the United States, ethanol-blended petrol usually contains 10 percent ethanol, but ethanol-free petrol is also made available to consumers.
In the European Union, petrol with 5 percent and 10 percent ethanol is sold, and the blends carry clear labelling so consumers know what they are purchasing.
In contrast, the petitioner alleges that Indian consumers are being denied a choice.
“In India, without informing the consumers, only ethanol blended petrol is made available to the public without any labelling or display of composition of the fuel.”
The PIL seeks Supreme Court directions to ensure that ethanol-free petrol is made available at all fuel stations, that petrol pumps carry mandatory labelling of ethanol content, and that consumer protection laws are strictly enforced. It also demands a nationwide study to assess the long-term impact of E20 petrol on vehicle life and performance.
