A BJP MP has acknowledged that his vehicle faced a slight drop in mileage, but defended the petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20), arguing that those opposing it are acting against the country's interests.
Speaking on the issue, BJP MP Brij Lal said he personally uses E20 fuel and that while he had noticed a reduction in mileage, his vehicle had not suffered any mechanical problems.
"I too own a vehicle and I use the same, but my vehicle never faced any issues. Mileage indeed drops by 3-4 per cent, but this will save a lot of money for the country," he said.
Brij Lal alleged that criticism of E20 fuel was being driven by vested interests. "An E20 petrol narrative is being created and a lobby is working against it," he said, adding that "those who are opposing it are against the development of the country and are being controlled by foreign powers. E20 petrol is safe."
The BJP MP said India imports around 80 per cent of its fuel and that blending petrol with 20 per cent ethanol would help reduce the country's import bill.
Earlier, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in a detailed question-and-answer document defending the Ethanol blended petrol programme, said E20 is a "cleaner, higher-quality and more efficient fuel" than E10 or pure petrol and that its rollout followed years of scientific testing, consultations with automobile manufacturers and the expansion of domestic ethanol production.
The ministry acknowledged that E20 can reduce fuel economy by 3-5 per cent in some vehicles, but said the trade-off is offset by benefits such as a higher octane rating, superior anti-knock characteristics, faster combustion, better pickup, smoother acceleration, cleaner engine operation and lower lifecycle carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal visited a petrol pump and service station in Delhi to gather feedback from vehicle owners about E20 fuel.
After interacting with consumers and service station workers and inspecting vehicles, Kejriwal claimed the government's assertions were "white lies." He said many vehicle owners had complained of lower mileage and vehicle malfunctions.
"The mileage of almost all vehicles has decreased, and many vehicles have malfunction complaints," Kejriwal said.
