SC to Hear Plea Seeking Mandatory Disclosure of Ethanol Content in Petrol on August 31
Petition seeks clear ethanol-percentage labels on fuel nozzles and invoices, along with a vehicle compatibility database and an expert review of E20 petrol.
NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The Supreme Court is set to hear on August 31 a petition seeking mandatory and uniform disclosure of the ethanol content in petrol sold at fuel stations across the country.
The matter is listed before a bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale, according to the apex court’s causelist.
The petition, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, seeks directions to the Centre and other authorities to require petrol pumps to clearly display the precise percentage of ethanol blended into petrol on every dispensing nozzle.
It also calls for fuel bills to prominently mention the ethanol content of the product purchased by consumers.
Among the key demands is the creation of a publicly accessible, vehicle- specific compatibility database. The proposed database would allow motorists to check whether particular ethanol blends are suitable for their vehicles based on factors such as manufacturer, model, engine type and year of manufacture.
The petitioner has also sought the formation of an independent expert panel comprising officials and specialists from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Bureau of Indian Standards and other relevant bodies, along with independent automobile engineers.
The proposed panel would examine the real-world compatibility of E20 petrol with vehicles currently operating in India and submit its findings in a public report.
The petition asks the committee to assess several issues associated with higher ethanol blending, including fuel-efficiency changes, engine durability, maintenance expenses and possible effects on vehicle warranties and insurance coverage.
It further seeks an assessment of the wider environmental impact of the blending programme, including tailpipe emissions and water consumption involved in ethanol production.
The petitioner has also raised concerns relating to food security and the diversion of agricultural resources towards ethanol production.
Another demand is the introduction of a nationwide consumer-disclosure framework for ethanol-blended petrol. The proposed protocol would be developed in consultation with the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards.
The plea further asks the authorities to submit policy documents, technical assessments, vehicle compatibility studies, safety standards, consumer advisories and records of consultations that form the basis for the mandatory nationwide introduction of E20 petrol.
It has also sought a time-bound transition plan for older vehicles and models that may not be compatible with higher ethanol blends.
As part of the proposed framework, the petitioner has suggested examining whether petrol with lower ethanol content could be made available at designated outlets for legacy or technically incompatible vehicles, where such an arrangement is considered feasible.
The plea seeks a transparent and evidence-based approach to the transition, backed by technical assessments, expert recommendations and public consultation.
The hearing on August 31 is expected to bring the consumer-disclosure and vehicle-compatibility concerns surrounding ethanol-blended petrol before the Supreme Court.
