The government informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the 20 per cent ethanol blending programme in petrol remains an ongoing experiment, with its full effects expected to become evident by next year. The statement follows growing debate and concerns that higher ethanol levels might harm older vehicles and lower fuel efficiency. Officials have sought to ease these worries by noting the absence of conclusive evidence linking E20 petrol to mechanical issues, while highlighting benefits for energy security, farmers and the environment. The court was hearing a petition by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited challenging a Karnataka High Court directive on ethanol allocation for 2025-26. The High Court had ordered oil marketing companies to review a distillery’s request for increased allocation before finalising tenders. The Attorney General stated that supply contracts were completed in October 2025 and altering them could disrupt the national programme. He added that the government would assess results of the 20 per cent target next year. India met the blending goal last year, ahead of schedule, and oil firms began nationwide supply of blended petrol from April. A new target of 30 per cent blending by 2030 has been set. The Oil Ministry recently described the programme as safe and economically beneficial, rejecting claims it could affect insurance coverage.
