Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday dismissed concerns that blending 20% ethanol with petrol (E20) impacts the vehicles, calling such claims baseless. Responding to a question regarding social media discussions on the issue, he remarked, “This is not even a discussion. I don’t know if I should say this, politically — it appears the petroleum lobby is manipulating it.”
Speaking at a Business Today summit, Gadkari challenged critics of E20, saying, “Show me a single vehicle anywhere in India that has had issues because of E20 petrol. I issue an open challenge, there is absolutely no problem with E20.”
His remarks came the same week the Ministry of Petroleum also stated that E20 does not cause engine damage or performance loss.
Gadkari highlighted the broader benefits of ethanol use, pointing out that domestic production helps lower India’s fuel import expenses and reduces pollution.
“Maize prices have surged from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,600 per quintal because it’s now used to produce ethanol,” he noted. “This has led to a increase in maize cultivation in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, thereby boosting farmer incomes.”
He argued that such diversification could raise agriculture’s contribution to GDP from the current 12% to 22%.
Gadkari also advocated for the adoption of “100% ethanol” as the fuel of the future.
Recently, amid ongoing discussions around ethanol blending, Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), spoke exclusively to ChiniMandi, categorically denying that E20 causes any structural damage to vehicle engines.
