Kejriwal Claims Government May Introduce Ethanol in Diesel, Advises Against Buying New Vehicles
AAP chief claims higher ethanol blending could be extended beyond petrol, raising concerns over vehicles and aviation fuel.
New Delhi, Aug. 6: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday alleged that the Centre is considering expanding ethanol blending beyond petrol to include diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), while urging citizens to postpone buying new petrol and diesel vehicles until greater clarity emerges on the policy.
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Kejriwal claimed the government could increase ethanol content in petrol beyond the current E20 blend in the future. He argued that vehicle owners may face difficulties if higher ethanol blends are introduced without adequate safeguards or consumer choice.
The former Delhi chief minister alleged that motorists who purchase vehicles compatible with E20 fuel today could eventually be affected if ethanol concentrations are raised further. He maintained that consumers should be fully informed about any future changes to fuel composition before making purchasing decisions.
Kejriwal also claimed that the government was preparing to introduce ethanol blending in diesel, though no official announcement has been made regarding such a proposal. Based on this assertion, he advised people to delay the purchase of new petrol and diesel vehicles for the next few years.
In a separate statement, the AAP leader alleged that ethanol could also be blended with aviation turbine fuel. Citing unnamed sources, he claimed that such a move could raise safety concerns in the aviation sector and called for complete transparency before any policy decision is implemented.
The allegations come amid an ongoing political debate over India’s ethanol-blending programme. Earlier this month, Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the continued availability of conventional petrol alongside ethanol-blended fuel at retail outlets. He had also urged the government to review fuel pricing so that consumers are not burdened by higher costs.
The Centre has consistently maintained that ethanol blending is aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil, lowering emissions and supporting the domestic biofuel sector. However, opposition parties have continued to question the policy’s long-term impact on consumers, vehicle compatibility and overall implementation.
