A small group protested at Jantar Mantar against the Centre’s 20% ethanol-blending (E20) mandate.

Organisers said the protest was “apolitical” and driven by car owners’ concerns. Protesters, including some BJP and RSS supporters, were not against the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme but its implementation. This was the first time car owners took their concerns offline, beyond social media.

The Centre and experts denied claims of mileage drop and vehicle damage, saying tests found no evidence that E20 harms vehicles.

While social media has been flooded with such claims, this was the first event in which car owners brought their concerns offline. The Centre has rejected claims of a drop in mileage and damage to vehicle parts because of E20 petrol.

A group of experts from the automobile and energy sectors defended the government’s ethanol-blending programme. They claimed extensive testing had found no evidence that E20 poses concerns for vehicles.

Consumers in India need to be given a choice of petrol variants by the government. People are concerned that their E10-compliant vehicles are not meant to handle the higher blending of ethanol in petrol. The government has repeatedly tried to assure people that E20 petrol is safe for their vehicles. Car owners and automobile enthusiasts contested the government’s arguments.

The protest was led by entrepreneur and TV personality Tehseen Poonawalla under the banner Team Bharat. Rally driver Ratan Dhillon from Team Bharat highlighted the mechanical concerns regarding ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles.

Big Mileage Drop Even in E20-Compatible Vehicles, Claims Car Owner

Car owner Verma said that even E20-compatible vehicles deliver lower mileage. He drives a Hyundai Creta car and a Bajaj Pulsar bike. He claimed that both vehicles give lower fuel efficiency with ethanol-blended petrol. He also faced engine knocking issues in both vehicles.

Verma questioned Union Minister Nitin Gadkari about India’s ethanol-blending policy.

Why Are People Protesting Against the Ethanol-Blending Programme?

India aimed for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030 but achieved the target in December 2025.

Ethanol blending increased from 1.5% in 2013-14 to 20% in 2025-26. India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil from other countries. Mixing ethanol with petrol helps India reduce oil imports and save foreign exchange.

People are not against the ethanol policy but against the way it is being implemented.

E20 petrol is being supplied for use in E10 vehicles, with no other fuel option available. A protester said he used E20 in his E10 car just to reach the protest. Cars manufactured before April 2023 are only E10-compliant. More than 80% of cars in India, as of 2024, are not E20-compliant.

BJP Backers’ Online Anger Now Being Seen on the Streets

BJP supporters are now protesting on the streets against the ethanol policy. They want the government to rethink how E20 petrol is being implemented.

Main demand: Give people a choice of fuel; don’t force E20.

JNU professor Anand Ranganathan said, “Progress needs choice, not force.” He suggested E20 should only be used during energy emergencies. He also said the costs of E20 blending are higher than its benefits.

Randeep Sisodia said the BJP IT Cell was mocking people’s concerns over E20. He called it “in very bad taste.” He said if they cannot empathise, they should remain silent, adding that they have no answers to people’s basic concerns.

While only a dozen people gathered at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest against the policy, the real focus came from BJP supporters speaking both online and offline. Their reaction showed that the arguments over ethanol blending were not just about politics. They were about the expression of concern among citizens who had invested in vehicles and were worried about their impact.