SC rejects PIL against nationwide rollout of 20 pc ethanol-blended petrol
Cars, 2-wheelers manufactured before 2023 not compatible with high ethanol blends, says PIL; Centre opposes plea, claiming E20 fuel helps sugarcane farmers
The Supreme Court on Monday (September 1) rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenged the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (EBP-20), alleging millions of motorists were forced to use the fuel not designed for their vehicles.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran did not agree to the contentions raised in the plea filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra who sought directions to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to ensure availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations.
Centre's stance
The Centre opposed the plea and claimed E20 fuel benefits sugarcane farmers.
The PIL also sought a direction to the authorities to mandatorily label ethanol content on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, making it clearly visible to consumers, and also to ensure that consumers were informed about the ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing.
The plea said the authorities were directed to conduct a "nationwide impact study on mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to ethanol blended fuel to the extent of 20 percent usage in non-compliant vehicles".
Millions of motorists were being left helpless at the pumps and were forced to buy fuel that many of their vehicles cannot handle, it added.
Cars and two-wheelers manufactured before 2023, and even some newer BS-VI models, the plea claimed, are not compatible with such high ethanol blends.
With agency inputs