New Delhi, July 11: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday carried out an on-ground visit to a petrol pump and an automobile service centre in the national capital to gather first hand feedback from motorists regarding the use of E20 ethanol-blended petrol. During the interaction, he claimed that many vehicle owners expressed dissatisfaction with the fuel, citing a decline in mileage and concerns about vehicle performance.
The visit came amid an ongoing public debate over the Centre’s ethanol blending programme, which aims to increase the use of biofuels and reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil. Kejriwal said it was important to hear directly from consumers rather than rely solely on official claims.
Speaking with motorists waiting to refuel and customers at the service station, the former Delhi Chief Minister said several people shared experiences of lower fuel efficiency after switching to E20 petrol. Some vehicle owners also claimed they had noticed mechanical issues that they believed were linked to the fuel.
After completing the visit, Kejriwal posted his observations on social media, stating that his conversations reflected concerns that should not be ignored. According to him, citizens deserve transparent information and practical solutions whenever a policy has an impact on their daily lives.
The AAP leader questioned the government’s assurances regarding the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel, alleging that the official narrative did not match the experiences narrated by several consumers during his visit. He maintained that the concerns being voiced by motorists should be examined objectively instead of being dismissed.
Emphasising the importance of public participation in policymaking, Kejriwal said democratic governance requires governments to remain responsive to citizens’ experiences. He argued that policies affecting millions of vehicle owners should be regularly reviewed based on ground-level feedback and technical assessments.
He also criticised the manner in which some people raising questions about ethanol-blended fuel have been portrayed, saying that expressing concerns over vehicle performance should not invite criticism or labels. According to him, consumers are merely sharing their personal experiences and deserve to have their grievances heard.
The visit has added a political dimension to the ongoing discussion surrounding India’s ethanol blending initiative, which has been promoted by the Centre as a key component of its clean energy and energy security strategy. The programme seeks to increase the proportion of ethanol mixed with petrol to reduce carbon emissions, lower crude oil imports and support the domestic agricultural sector through higher ethanol production.
Earlier this week, the Union Government issued a detailed clarification addressing claims circulating on social media about E20 petrol. The government rejected allegations that the blended fuel universally damages engines, invalidates vehicle insurance or causes significant environmental harm, describing several viral claims as misleading and unsupported by scientific evidence.
Officials have maintained that vehicles designed or approved for E20 fuel can operate safely when manufacturers’ guidelines are followed. They have also stressed that the ethanol blending programme has undergone extensive testing and is being implemented in consultation with automobile manufacturers and fuel companies.
The discussion over E20 fuel continues to attract attention as more fuel stations across the country transition to higher ethanol blending. While the government highlights the long-term environmental and economic benefits of the initiative, opposition leaders have called for greater transparency, wider public awareness and continued monitoring of its impact on vehicle owners.
Kejriwal said his visit was intended to ensure that the voices of ordinary consumers become part of the broader conversation on fuel policy, urging authorities to evaluate public feedback alongside technical data before expanding the programme further.