Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused the central government of pressuring car manufacturers to mislead the public about E20 ethanol-blended petrol. He claimed at least three major automakers made statements that contradicted their own vehicle owner manuals.
Kejriwal said he plans to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that E20 fuel be made optional. He will also seek written assurances from manufacturers that the blend causes no engine harm or mileage loss.
At a press event, he alleged the government directed six car companies to publicly support E20 despite compatibility concerns with older vehicles. He named Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp, saying their public statements differed from guidance in their manuals.
Kejriwal announced he would demand compensation guarantees from the firms if E20 use leads to engine damage or efficiency drops exceeding 10 percent. He also questioned whether companies would cover repair costs for any resulting wear.
The companies have not yet responded to the claims. Kejriwal further criticized the ethanol policy, arguing that other nations use lower blends suitable for standard vehicles and that the government presents only partial information.
