Motorists gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday for the first physical demonstration against the nationwide rollout of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol. Participants said the rapid introduction of the fuel had caused reduced mileage, clogged fuel systems and costly repairs. Organisers framed the event as a non-partisan effort focused on vehicle owners rights rather than political opposition.
The government has dismissed earlier online reports of vehicle damage, citing tests that found no major problems with E20. Industry experts had also defended the blending programme before the protest, stating that extensive checks showed no significant risks for most cars.
Protesters shared personal accounts of sudden power loss, warning lights and expensive fixes. One Gurgaon resident reported mileage falling from 18 km per litre to below 14 km in a 2018 model designed for lower blends. Another Delhi motorist described spending more than 35,000 rupees on fuel-system cleaning and parts after seven months of using the blended petrol.
A third driver recounted his car stalling on the road, requiring towing and service visits where staff noted several similar cases daily. Organisers acknowledged lower attendance due to delayed police permission but insisted the complaints reflected real mechanical issues linked to ethanol.
Data indicate that roughly 80 percent of vehicles sold in India over the past 15 years were built for E10 or lower blends. Critics argue the accelerated programme has placed untested fuel in widespread use. Officials maintain the 20 percent target is a settled policy decision unlikely to be reversed.
