The central government told the Supreme Court that the nationwide rollout of E20 — petrol blended with 20% ethanol — is still an ongoing trial and that the policy’s full impact will only become clear next year. The submission came as the court heard a petition by state-controlled oil firm Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) challenging a Karnataka High Court order that had asked authorities to consider increasing ethanol allocations to oil companies.
Consumers and vehicle experts have expressed concern that higher ethanol blends could damage older vehicles and reduce fuel efficiency. The government said it understands these fears but added that so far there is no conclusive evidence that E20 causes mechanical harm to vehicles. Officials argue the blend will strengthen India’s energy security, benefit farmers and deliver environmental gains.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the ethanol allocation process for the 2025–26 supply year was completed last October and supply contracts have already been finalised. Reopening allocation now, he warned, would disrupt the large-scale national programme and the supply chain. He said the tender process had received proposals for about 1,759 crore litres of ethanol (roughly 17.59 billion litres) and urged that the matter be resolved before allocation contracts are renewed next October.
The Attorney General also cautioned that granting preferential relief to one supplier could prompt similar petitions from other companies, creating legal complications and further supply disruptions. Speaking to the media after the hearing, he stressed that the decision to adopt E20 is government policy and is not expected to be reversed; only the amounts supplied to individual firms may vary with demand.
India reached its target of E20 blending in 2025, five years ahead of schedule, and oil marketing companies have begun supplying ethanol-blended petrol nationwide. The government has set a goal of increasing the blend to 30% (E30) by 2030. Ahead of the hearings, the Ministry of Petroleum described the programme as safe and economically beneficial and dismissed reports that using E20 could void vehicle insurance as baseless. The ministry pointed to successful ethanol blending in countries such as the United States, Brazil and Japan and said the measure has helped reduce crude oil imports and conserve more than Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange.
The Supreme Court hearing continues; the government says results from the ongoing E20 trial will be available next year, findings that could shape future allocation decisions and address public concerns about vehicle safety and fuel performance.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/ethanol-blending-is-an-experiment-and-results-will-come-out-next-year-centre-informed-the-supreme-court-amidst-concerns-over-e20-fuel/
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Publish Date: 2026-06-30 20:23:00
