SC upholds ethanol-petrol rollout, dismisses plea

Fuel Fight Fizzles Out In Top Court

- NITIN KUMAR & SANDIP DAS New Delhi, September 1

THE SUPREME COURT on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the nationwide rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20), which alleged that millions of motorists were being forced to use fuel unsuited to their vehicles without the option of ethanol-free petrol.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order after the Centre opposed the plea, arguing that E20 fuel benefits sugarcane farmers.

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the petitioner, cited NITI Aayog's 2021 report Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, which noted that blending ethanol up to 20% could reduce fuel efficiency by 6-7% in four-wheelers and 3-4% in two-wheelers. He clarified that the petitioner was not opposed to ethanol blending per se but sought the availability of ethanol-free petrol for vehicles manufactured before April 2023, which are not E20-compliant.