09 August,2026 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Centre says E20 petrol shows no evidence of abnormal engine wear, corrosion or reduced vehicle life. Representational Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday defended the Centre's ethanol blending policy, rejecting criticism over E20 petrol and saying there was insufficient evidence to support the concerns.
"Automobile companies have invited consumers to provide evidence if vehicles develop problems because of ethanol-blended petrol, but no one has come forward with such evidence so far," Fadnavis said in Kolhapur, PTI reported.
He said ethanol production had opened a new avenue for sugar factories, adding that various government decisions would ensure better utilisation of resources and reduce waste in the sugar industry.
The Centre has defended its ethanol blending programme, saying extensive testing and large-scale field experience have found no evidence that E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol, causes abnormal engine wear, corrosion or reduced vehicle life.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the Centre of forcing the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to withdraw a communication related to E20 fuel, alleging that the government was pushing ethanol blending despite scientific concerns.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, rejected the allegations, citing SIAM's clarification that its earlier communication had been taken out of context.
In a post on X, Kejriwal alleged that the Centre had pressured SIAM into withdrawing its earlier communication on ethanol-related fuel quality issues.
"U forced SIAM to withdraw their report. Typical Modi style. Gundagardi."
He further claimed, "Modi ji never respected science, engg or research. He only serves his hidden agenda. Here, he is under pressure from Trump to buy ethanol from the US. Unable to withstand that pressure, he is bulldozing ethanol on the whole country against all scientific evidence."
Kejriwal did not provide evidence to support his allegations regarding external pressure or the government's decision-making process.
(With PTI inputs)
