A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to sell petrol blended with ethanol. The petitioner has questioned the government’s move and demanded that, apart from ethanol-blended petrol, there should also be an option to buy ethanol-free petrol. According to the petitioner, selling only E20 petrol (20% ethanol-blended petrol) without providing an ethanol-free option affects the fundamental rights of millions of vehicle owners whose vehicles are not compatible with E20 fuel.
Concerns About Vehicle Safety
The petitioner argued that E20 petrol affects fuel efficiency and can cause corrosion in vehicle parts. Implementing this policy without giving automobile manufacturers sufficient time to make their vehicles compatible with E20 is unfair and arbitrary. The PIL has requested that ethanol-free petrol should also be made available and that E20 petrol should carry proper labelling so buyers clearly know what they are purchasing.
No Reduction in Prices
The petitioner highlighted that millions of Indians are unaware that they are purchasing ethanol-blended petrol, which violates consumer rights. Despite 20% ethanol being mixed into petrol, its price has not been reduced. The benefit from reducing the petrol component is not being passed on to the customers, who continue to pay the same price.
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Global Practices Highlighted
The PIL also compared the Indian situation with global trends. In countries like the USA and European Union, ethanol-free petrol is still available, and ethanol-blended fuels come with clear labels at petrol stations, allowing consumers to make informed choices. In contrast, in India, vehicle owners are kept in the dark as petrol pumps mostly sell only ethanol-blended fuel without informing buyers about it.