Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of “forcibly imposing” E20 petrol on the country yesterday and said the ethanol-blended fuel is destroying vehicles, lowering mileage and turning the public into participants in what he described as a government “experiment”.
Arvind Kejriwal claimed in a video message posted on X that there is growing public anger over the introduction of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol. In court after speaking before the Supreme Court on June 30, he alleged that the Attorney General of the Centre had referred to the E20 fuel programme as an experiment and the future of the programme would depend on its implementation.
Kejriwal also claimed that after reports of the submission appeared in the media, the Union government denied making any such statement.
"What kind of experiment is this? You have made ethanol-blended petrol compulsory for the entire population and all vehicles, and now you say you are experimenting. Will you compensate people whose vehicles are getting damaged?" he said.
मोदी सरकार के लिए पूरा देश एक experiment lab है। लोगों पर जबरदस्ती E20 पेट्रोल थोपा जा रहा है। Ethanol से लोगों की गाड़ियां बंद पड़ रही हैं, parts खराब हो रहे हैं और mileage गिर रहा है। लोगों में बहुत ज़्यादा गुस्सा है।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 3, 2026
मैं प्रधानमंत्री जी को इस विषय पर चिट्ठी लिखने जा रहा हूँ।… pic.twitter.com/n9C6tpWyQi
The former Delhi Chief Minister claimed that the increased ethanol content was causing vehicle breakdowns, damaging engine parts and reducing fuel efficiency.
The whole country has become an experimental laboratory for the Modi government. E20 petrol is being forcibly imposed on people. Because of ethanol, vehicles are breaking down, parts are getting damaged and mileage is falling. People are extremely angry," Kejriwal said.
His comments come as a political debate over the impact of E20 fuel on existing vehicles takes place.
Earlier this week, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the Centre, saying it had made "3.6 crore Indians part of an experiment" by introducing ethanol-blended fuel without sufficient scientific evidence, public consultation or consensus.
Kharge referred to the Centre's submissions before the Supreme Court and claimed the government had acknowledged that it was still assessing the long-term impact of higher ethanol blending while simultaneously implementing the policy nationwide.
But the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas rejected any criticisms of the Ethanol Blending Programme and has said it is scientifically tested and maintained that the programme is being monitored. What it called misleading statements about E20 petrol on social media recently was a clarification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The Ethanol Blending Programme, launched in 2003, aims to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil, improve energy security, lower carbon emissions and support domestic sugarcane and agricultural sectors. The programme has been rolled out in phases after the technical evaluations and consultations with stakeholders, with 20 per cent ethanol blending (E20) beginning in 2023.
Now the debate over E20 petrol will continue as opposition leaders question its impact on vehicles and consumers, while the Centre insists that it is a scientifically based program and is still a part of India’s long-term energy and environmental objectives.
