16 July,2026 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Aaditya Thackeray said that several vehicles currently on Indian roads were not originally designed to run on higher ethanol blends. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday urged the Centre to adopt a consumer-friendly approach by allowing vehicle owners to choose between 100 per cent petrol and ethanol-blended petrol, reported the PTI.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray said concerns were growing among vehicle owners, particularly young people and middle-class families, over the increasing use of ethanol in petrol.
Thackeray said that purchasing a two-wheeler or car is a major investment for many families and is often the result of years of savings and financial commitments.
He said vehicle owners expect their vehicles to provide the performance and fuel efficiency promised by manufacturers.
However, many consumers have claimed that higher ethanol blending has affected mileage and vehicle performance, he said.
Thackeray added that several vehicles currently on Indian roads were not originally designed to run on higher ethanol blends, leaving owners concerned about possible impacts.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader requested the government to make both options available - regular 100 per cent petrol and ethanol-blended petrol - allowing consumers to select fuel based on their vehicle compatibility and preference.
He said such a move would protect consumer choice, reduce inconvenience for vehicle owners and improve public confidence in fuel policies.
"Across many countries, consumers have the freedom to choose the fuel they wish to use," Thackeray said, adding that vehicle owners whose cars support ethanol-blended fuel could continue using it, while others could opt for regular petrol, according to the PTI.
Thackeray also raised concerns over the large-scale cultivation of sugarcane for ethanol production.
He said sugarcane requires significant amounts of water and questioned whether expanding its cultivation was sustainable at a time when several parts of India face water shortages, as per the PTI.
Thackeray said there was a perception among some sections that the ethanol policy was benefiting certain companies and industry groups more than ordinary consumers.
He said whether these concerns were accurate or not, they needed to be addressed through transparency and open discussion.
(with PTI inputs)
