Centre to review E20 fuel policy amid consumer concerns: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday urged the central government to reconsider the rollout of E20  petrol, arguing that the policy has been implemented without adequate scientific validation and could place an additional financial burden on millions of vehicle owners.

Speaking during a debate in the Punjab Assembly, Mann said the Centre had acknowledged in Parliament that E20 fuel could reduce vehicle mileage, but had nevertheless accelerated its implementation ahead of the original 2030 target. He questioned the reasons for the early rollout and said consumers should not be forced to switch fuels without having a choice.

The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to suspend the mandatory implementation of E20 for vehicles that are not designed to use the fuel. It also called for conventional petrol to remain available alongside E20 at fuel stations and sought a lower price for E20 to compensate for its lower fuel efficiency.

Mann said that many motorists had reported reduced mileage and higher maintenance costs after using E20 fuel. Referring to survey findings cited during the debate, he said a majority of respondents had experienced a decline in fuel efficiency, while others had reported engine-related problems. He argued that vehicle owners, many of whom purchase vehicles through loans or years of savings, should not have to bear additional repair costs because of a policy change.

The chief minister also questioned whether sufficient scientific studies had been conducted before the nationwide rollout. He said the Centre should have consulted technical institutions and independent experts to establish the fuel’s compatibility with existing vehicles before making it widely available.

Linking the issue to India’s trade ties with the United States, Mann alleged that the accelerated implementation was intended to support a broader trade arrangement under which India would substantially increase ethanol imports over the coming years. He claimed the move would benefit corporate interests while leaving ordinary consumers to shoulder the costs. The central government has not publicly linked the E20 rollout to any such trade agreement.