Concerns that had largely been voiced on social media were brought to the streets on Sunday as car owners assembled at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest what they described as the hurried rollout of the national Ethanol Blending Programme. The gathering marked India's first physical protest against the E20 fuel mandate. Speaking to India Today Digital, several motorists shared how issues with their vehicles had compelled them to participate.
Held under the slogan "Hamaari Gaadi, Hamaara Adhikaar," the demonstration was organised by entrepreneur and television personality Tehseen Poonawala along with his advocacy platform, Team Bharat. The protest targeted the government's strong push for E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
The Central government has dismissed allegations that E20 fuel leads to lower mileage or increased wear and tear in vehicles. Ahead of the protest, experts from the automobile and energy sectors defended the ethanol-blending initiative, stating that extensive testing had found no evidence of E20 causing vehicle-related problems.
Although participants blamed E20 fuel—a policy strongly associated with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari—for the difficulties they experienced, they emphasised that the protest was not politically motivated. Several attendees even identified themselves as BJP supporters while expressing opposition to the way the ethanol policy had been implemented.
For months, social media has seen complaints ranging from vehicles stalling and declining fuel efficiency to clogged fuel filters and expensive repairs. At Jantar Mantar, these concerns were echoed through personal accounts, although the turnout was smaller than expected.
One organiser attributed the low attendance to the delayed approval from Delhi Police. Despite applying several days in advance, permission for the protest was reportedly granted only on Saturday evening.
India rapidly expanded its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme nationwide, achieving its blending target five years ahead of schedule. Critics argue that this rapid implementation effectively turned millions of vehicle owners into participants in an untested experiment. Available data suggests that nearly 80% of cars sold in India over the last 15 years were designed for E10 or lower ethanol blends and are not fully compatible with E20 fuel.
Protesters Cite Ground-Level Problems with E20
Sarthak, a software engineer from Gurgaon, said his 2018 Baleno, which is E10 compliant, has suffered a noticeable decline in fuel efficiency. According to him, the mileage has dropped from around 18 km per litre to below 14 km per litre over the past few months, representing a reduction of roughly 22%.
Another participant expressed frustration, saying he did not want to use blended petrol because it was ultimately his own vehicle that would suffer the consequences.
Raj Singh from Patel Nagar in Delhi shared a more serious experience. He claimed that after using E20 fuel for seven months, his vehicle developed significant fuel system problems.
He said he had switched to E20 expecting lower fuel costs, but his car unexpectedly lost power and displayed an engine warning light. The repairs required cleaning the entire fuel system and replacing several components, costing him over ₹35,000. Singh added that his car had been functioning perfectly before and that he was now hesitant to refill it with E20 fuel.
Mudit Agarwal, who owns a Skoda Slavia in Delhi, described an incident in which his vehicle suddenly stopped while he was driving. He said a service technician suggested ethanol could have been responsible, forcing him to have the vehicle towed. According to Agarwal, staff at the authorised service centre informed him that seven to eight vehicles with similar complaints were arriving each day.
He also claimed that while Skoda had not confirmed ethanol as the cause, it had not ruled it out either. Although Agarwal is affiliated with the Congress party and had contested the 2025 Delhi Assembly election, he said he attended the protest purely as a concerned car owner.
Earlier, Attorney General R. Venkataramani told India Today TV that the decision to introduce 20% ethanol blending was a policy matter unlikely to be reversed.
Mechanical Concerns Raised by Protesters
Auto enthusiast and rally driver Ratan Dhillon of Team Bharat argued that ethanol-blended fuel causes mechanical damage to vehicles. When asked whether there was evidence linking E20 petrol to increased wear and tear, he said there was.
Dhillon claimed that ethanol leads to clogged fuel filters and fuel lines and asserted that this could be demonstrated in court. Recalling a recent trip to Leh, he said he had been forced to leave his vehicle there because of issues he attributed to ethanol-blended fuel.
Discussing repair expenses, he estimated that replacing fuel filters in mid-range cars could cost anywhere between ₹25,000 and ₹80,000.
He also highlighted the difficulties of operating vehicles in high-altitude regions such as Leh, where cold starts become more challenging. According to Dhillon, automobile manufacturers were not openly discussing the issue and accused policymakers of making decisions without fully understanding the practical realities.
South Extension resident Shiv Bhatt sharply criticised the government, alleging that the ethanol policy was damaging ordinary citizens' vehicles while financially benefiting sugar mill owners.
Choice and Cost Remain Key Concerns
A doctor from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, who attended the protest, said he owns a 15-year-old sedan that remains in excellent condition. Despite carefully maintaining the vehicle, he claimed to have observed a significant reduction in mileage. Identifying himself as a man of science, he stressed that he only speaks after verifying facts.
Himanshu Sharma, President of Dharmkalyan Foundation Education Programmes, questioned why consumers were not being given the freedom to choose between blended and pure petrol. He argued that motorists should have access to regular petrol if they preferred it.
Although pure petrol is reportedly available, it costs more than ₹160 per litre, compared to approximately ₹102 for E20 fuel. Sharma questioned the government's claim that blended fuel would reduce overall fuel expenses.
Ironically, Sharma himself arrived at the protest in an E10-compatible vehicle filled with E20 petrol. He also suggested that separate storage tanks or dedicated pumps for ethanol-blended fuel should be introduced.
Some protesters further argued that fuel station infrastructure was not adequately designed to handle E20 because ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture, potentially increasing water contamination in stored fuel.
Reflecting widespread frustration, one protester remarked that there was no accountability in the country.
Addressing the relatively small turnout, another participant observed that middle-class citizens often avoid protests because they are already burdened with numerous personal and financial challenges.
Sugar Industry Connection Raised
Several protesters alleged that the ethanol policy disproportionately benefits the sugar industry, as ethanol is largely produced from sugarcane.
Uttar Pradesh has more than 155 registered sugar mills, while Maharashtra has over 195 operational crushing mills. These two states consistently rank among India's leading sugar producers.
The protesters also highlighted Maharashtra's close political links with the sugar sector, noting that politicians from multiple parties own, manage, or maintain financial interests in cooperative and private sugar mills. They argued that this creates a conflict of interest, leaving vehicle owners to bear the costs through reduced mileage, higher maintenance expenses, and possible long-term engine damage.
While the government continues to emphasise benefits such as lower crude oil imports, improved farmer incomes, and reduced emissions, those gathered at Jantar Mantar called for greater transparency, consumer choice, and accountability.
Protesters also pointed to international examples. Brazil gradually introduced ethanol blending beginning in the 1970s, while simultaneously developing flex-fuel vehicles capable of handling different ethanol concentrations. Similarly, the United States expanded E10 through phased implementation supported by testing and regulation, and countries such as Thailand and the Philippines also adopted gradual, research-backed approaches.
In contrast, protesters argued that India's rapid implementation lacked similar caution and failed to provide consumers with meaningful choices.
Many participants said they supported efforts to reduce dependence on imported oil but believed such measures should not come at the cost of vehicle performance without sufficient preparation or viable alternatives.
Although the protest remained relatively small, participants insisted that the concerns raised reflected genuine issues that policymakers could no longer afford to overlook.
