India’s ambitious clean fuel program has sparked confusion and anger among millions of drivers after the government replaced most traditional petrol with E20, a blend containing 20% ethanol, across nearly all of the nation’s 90,000 fuel stations.
The shift, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to cut carbon emissions, has left motorists concerned about car performance and rising fuel costs, particularly for older vehicles not designed for ethanol-rich blends.
“I just want the fuel my car was made for,” said 28-year-old Ankur Thakur, whose email from Renault warning against E20 went viral on X, attracting more than 700,000 views. Thakur has now turned to expensive no-ethanol fuel still available at limited pumps.
India is the world’s third-largest car market, and officials argue that E20 is crucial to meeting climate targets. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said this month that “India’s ethanol journey is unstoppable,” dismissing concerns as “confusion driven by vested interests.” The government admits, however, that older cars may face “marginal” losses in fuel efficiency and may require new gaskets or rubber parts.
Carmakers are scrambling to clarify guidance. Skoda said only cars sold after April 2020 are “fully compatible” with E20, while Toyota warned of “modest” fuel economy changes. Renault initially told Thakur his car was “not tested” for the new fuel but later backtracked, saying government trials showed “no serious challenges.”
Some automakers have left drivers in limbo. An Audi Q3 manual sold last year still recommends only E5 and E10, while a 2024 Mahindra Scorpio carried a sticker warning: “CAUTION. PETROL/E10 FUEL ONLY.” Neither company responded to Reuters’ queries.
At local pumps, frustration is rising. “People hurl abuse at us. We stopped explaining the change,” said Lucknow fuel station manager Ramesh Pandey. A public interest case challenging the rollout is due before India’s Supreme Court next week.
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