Supreme Court dismisses plea challenging E20 petrol rollout

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL that challenged the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol across India, which is popularly known as E20 petrol. The apex court has backed the government's clean energy push to reduce crude oil imports and reduce vehicular emissions. The PIL sought the option of ethanol-free petrol for consumers alongside the E20 at the fuel stations.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court has observed that the government's decision is in line with its larger energy security and environmental goals, including reducing reliance on crude oil imports and cutting vehicular emissions. With this ruling of the apex court, the nationwide adoption of E20 petrol will continue as planned, marking a significant step in India's clean fuel transition.

Advocate Akshay Malhotra had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court a few days back. The plea was filed seeking a direction to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to ensure the availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations. The PIL has also sought a direction to the authorities to mandatorily label ethanol content on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, making it clearly visible to the consumers, and also to ensure that consumers are informed about the ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing.

The plea further said that the authorities be directed to conduct a nationwide impact study on mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to ethanol-blended fuel to the extent of 20 per cent usage in non-compliant vehicles. The PIL said that millions of motorists were being left helpless at the fuel stations and were forced to buy fuel that many of their vehicles cannot handle. Cars and two-wheelers manufactured before 2023, and even some newer BS6 models, are not compatible with such E20 petrol, the plea said. It also highlighted damage to engines and a drop in mileage, among other consequences of the move. "Direct the respondents to ensure that consumers are informed about the ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing," PTI has quoted the plea, stating.

The PIL claimed engines are suffering corrosion, fuel efficiency is dropping, and repair bills are mounting, while insurance companies are rejecting claims for damage caused by ethanol fuel. It outlined how global practices differed sharply and said that in the US and EU, ethanol-free petrol was still widely available, and pumps clearly displayed ethanol content for consumers to make an informed choice. In India, however, only ethanol-blended fuel is sold, without any disclosure of composition at dispensing units.

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