In the last couple of weeks, we have come across multiple videos where people have criticised the government’s ethanol-blending policy. The latest one comes from Telugu actor Naresh Vijaya Krishna, who shared a post on his X profile calling the government’s ethanol-blending policy a “nightmare” for vehicle owners.
In his social media post, the actor wrote that one of his friends, who is a BJP supporter, recently faced an issue with his Toyota Camry due to ethanol-blended fuel. The car reportedly developed a fault because of the fuel, and it cost him around ₹3.5 lakh to get it repaired.
In his post, Naresh mentioned that he owns a Porsche Panamera and that if his car were to face the same issue as his friend’s, he would have to spend around ₹12 lakh on repairs. Concerned about the potential expense, the actor said that he has now completely switched to 100-octane petrol, which costs around ₹165 or more per litre in many parts of the country.
In his social media post, he wrote, “This ethanol petrol is giving heart attacks to everyone, from bike users to high-end car owners.” He also mentioned that, as a former BJP leader, he understands that the party has a strong think tank with Plans A, B, and C. However, he felt that this decision to protect the environment at the cost of crores of people appeared to be very hasty and radical.
He further stated that if the government does not correct its approach, the party could face a backlash in the upcoming elections. He wrote, “With about two years left for the next elections, and the last results leading to a coalition government, this is a red signal for the BJP.”
The actor also referred to Brazil, a country that Indian ministers often cite during interviews while discussing ethanol blending. He wrote that Brazil implemented its ethanol policy in a phased manner, whereas India is moving ahead of schedule. According to him, the E20 policy was implemented five years ahead of its original target.
He argued that this has left owners of older vehicles without enough time to use their vehicles properly. They have also not been given a practical choice, as regular high-octane petrol costs close to ₹170 per litre in many places. According to him, the introduction of E20-blended fuel in older vehicles has led to several issues. One of the first noticeable changes reported by many owners was a drop in fuel efficiency. Several vehicle owners have also claimed that they started facing mechanical issues, with certain components in their vehicles getting damaged over time.
While the government was initially reluctant to acknowledge these concerns, it has recently admitted that the use of E20 fuel in older vehicles could result in a drop in fuel efficiency. Apart from this, it has also acknowledged that some rubber and plastic components in the fuel system may deteriorate after prolonged use with higher ethanol-blended fuel.
Most people who are currently unhappy with the E20 fuel policy are not opposed to ethanol blending itself. Their primary concern is that the government is not giving consumers a choice between pure petrol and ethanol-blended fuel, and instead is effectively making E20 the only widely available option.
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