Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Challenging India’s E20 Fuel Mandate

On Monday, September 1, the Supreme Court delivered a crucial verdict regarding the government’s move to mandate E20 fuel. The plea questioned the compulsory blending of 20% ethanol with petrol and sought the availability of ethanol-free alternatives. The dismissal underscores the Centre’s determination to continue with its ethanol-based petrol rollout.

Background Of E20 Fuel Mandate

The Supreme Court on Monday, September 1, dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Union government’s mandate on E20 fuel, which requires blending 20% ethanol with petrol.

The plea filed in the court had sought directions to the Centre to ensure the availability of Ethanol-free (E0) petrol at all fuel stations. It also urged the government to issue mandatory labels of ethanol-based petrol.

The government has been rolling out the use of the 20% ethanol-blended fuel since 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the E20 petrol on February 6, 2023, in Bengaluru, two months ahead of the planned nationwide rollout in April 2023.

Centre Defends E20 Fuel

Appearing for the government, Attorney General R Venkataramani strongly opposed the petition. He defended the Centre’s decision, stressing that the mandate was introduced after evaluating all aspects.

According to him, there is a strong lobby against E20, but external forces cannot be allowed to dictate what kind of fuel should be used in India. The government maintained that the policy decision is in line with national interests and future sustainability goals.

Dismissed Plea And Consumer Concerns

A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed the plea. The petition had argued that most consumers were unaware of the fuel blend and whether their vehicles were compatible with it, potentially affecting engines and mileage.

The plea also sought mandatory disclosure of ethanol compatibility at the time of fuel dispensing to ensure that consumers clearly understood what they were using.

Arguments Raised By Petitioners

Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the petitioners, highlighted the concerns. "Vehicles are being manufactured that are compatible with E20 petrol; there is no difficulty on that. However, most vehicles on the road are not designed for E20 fuel, and a NITI Aayog report has flagged that it could cause damage to engines," he said.

"There is a drop in fuel efficiency. This has been done without any notice. Let E20 be there; we are not against that. Consumers should have the option of the earlier fuel as well, and must be clearly informed, since at petrol pumps, people often don’t know what they are actually filling," he added.

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Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the PIL has reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to advancing ethanol blending in petrol. While the government stresses the broader benefits of this initiative, questions raised about consumer awareness, vehicle compatibility and efficiency remain key points of discussion.

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