Amid the huge hype over the introduction of E20 petrol, in which 20 per cent ethanol is mixed with petrol, BJP leader and Member of Parliament Brij Lal said he did not face any problems using the blended fuel in his car and went on to say that those who are against it are against the country’s development and are under the control of foreign powers.
“E20 gasoline is safe. A narrative is being created, and the lobby is working against it. The ministry has issued a clarification. I also own a car, and use the same fuel, but my car has never had any problems,” Lal told the news agency. that I.
Lal said E20 petrol will help reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil while admitting that it reduces the mileage slightly.
Read also | The government says only E25 is being tested at the moment: All your questions about ethanol-blended fuels answered
“The mileage is already decreasing by 3-4 percent, but this will save a lot of money for the country. We import 80 percent of our fuel, and by blending 20 percent ethanol, we will be able to save money going abroad,” he said.
Lal added that the criticism of blended petrol is nothing but a politically motivated campaign by those who do not want the country to develop. “Those who oppose it are against the country’s development and are under the control of foreign powers. E20 gasoline is safe,” he said.
The opposition has questioned the E20 rollout
Commuters and opposition politicians, including Karnataka Congress president BK Hariprasad and Aam Aadmi Party National Congress chief Arvind Kejriwal, said the fuel had reduced mileage and raised repair costs, and questioned why fuel prices had not come down even though the blend was supposed to be cheaper to produce than pure petrol.
Addressing a press conference a few days ago, Kejriwal also said he would write to car manufacturers seeking written assurances that they will compensate vehicle owners if E20 fuel reduces mileage or causes damage to engines, fuel systems or other components.
The AAP leader also announced plans to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking clarification on whether the government or auto companies will bear the cost if consumers incur losses due to the policy.
The government says E20 is safe
Meanwhile, the government has maintained that E20 is safe for compliant vehicles, citing extensive testing by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and car manufacturers.
The government also explained that maintaining multiple grades of petrol across India’s fuel distribution network would create significant operational and logistical challenges.
