Motorists wary as India adds biofuels to petrol

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NEW DELHI: India's aggressive push to mandate higher biofuel levels in petrol is facing intense backlash from motorists nationwide. The government recently made E20 fuel, which contains a twenty percent ethanol blend, the standard choice across all domestic gas stations.

While the policy aims to slash costly foreign crude imports, a vast majority of vehicles on Indian roads are not structurally designed for it. Industry data indicates that over seventy-five percent of existing vehicles lack compatibility with this higher ethanol concentration.

Frustrated drivers have flooded online platforms and staged public protests to report accelerated engine wear and significantly reduced mileage. Mechanics note that ethanol attracts moisture, which can cause internal fuel line corrosion and clog fuel injectors over time.

Automakers and government officials have firmly dismissed these consumer complaints as misleading social media misinformation. They counter that extensive data proves the fuel blend is safe, though they acknowledge a minor drop in fuel efficiency.