The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the nationwide rollout of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20), despite concerns that millions of motorists are being compelled to use fuel their vehicles may not support.
A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran rejected the arguments presented by advocate Akshay Malhotra, who had sought directions to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to ensure the continued availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations.
The Centre opposed the plea, arguing that E20 fuel benefits sugarcane farmers and is a step towards cleaner, sustainable energy. It maintained that the ethanol content at petrol pumps is already being labelled and asserted that the rollout aligns with national energy goals.
The petitioner contended that millions of motorists, particularly those with vehicles manufactured before 2023—and even some newer BS-VI models—face risks of mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to incompatibility with high ethanol blends. The plea also sought a nationwide impact study on the effects of E20 fuel on non-compliant vehicles, but the Court declined to intervene.
With the Supreme Court’s rejection of the petition, the government’s plan to expand the use of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol across India remains on track.
