Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday alleged that a “paid campaign” was being run against him by vested interests in the petroleum sector over the rollout of E20 petrol — fuel blended with 20 per cent ethanol.
Speaking at the 65th annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in New Delhi, Gadkari said, “Everywhere there are lobbies, there are interests… petrol lobby is very rich. The social media campaign was a paid campaign against me. The Supreme Court has also dismissed the petition. There was no fact.”
The nationwide rollout of E20 began in April 2025, replacing the earlier E10 fuel. Ethanol, primarily derived from sugarcane and food grains, has been promoted by the government to cut emissions, reduce crude imports, and support farmers.
However, the move has sparked a debate over fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Experts suggest that cars running on E20 could see a 2–5% dip in mileage due to ethanol’s lower calorific value, while older vehicles not designed for E20 may face long-term damage to fuel pipes and gaskets. The oil ministry, however, maintains the efficiency loss is marginal, around 1–2% for compatible four-wheelers and 3–6% for others.
Defending the ethanol push, Gadkari said the programme was crucial to reduce India’s dependence on imports that account for nearly 88% of its crude oil needs, costing ₹22 lakh crore annually. He also highlighted the benefit to farmers, with higher demand for sugarcane and grain-based ethanol creating new income opportunities.
Looking ahead, the minister stressed diversification of India’s fuel basket. “We want to concentrate on alternative fuel, biofuel, hydrogen, electric — whatever the choice may be, even in the marine engine. Now we are planning to use methanol,” Gadkari said, adding that research on ethanol and isobutanol is also underway.
