Several Delhi-based transport associations will march towards Parliament on August 4, demanding the withdrawal of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol and a fresh review of the national fuel policy.
The protest has been called by the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, with support from other commercial vehicle organisations. The groups say motorists should be allowed to choose conventional petrol instead of being required to purchase E20 at fuel stations.
Sanjay Samrat, president of the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, said the demonstration was intended to alert lawmakers to complaints emerging from vehicle owners across the country. He said transport operators had reported lower mileage, performance problems and higher maintenance expenses after using ethanol-blended petrol.
The association has not announced a taxi or commercial transport strike. Its leaders have described the August 4 programme as a protest march aimed at securing parliamentary attention and wider consultation on the rollout.
Rajender Kapoor, president of the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association, has also supported the demonstration. Transport groups argue that E20 should remain optional, particularly for owners of older vehicles that were not manufactured or certified for sustained use of petrol containing 20 per cent ethanol.
The protesters are expected to demand an independent technical assessment involving vehicle owners, transport companies, automobile manufacturers, consumer representatives and engineering experts. They also want clearer information at filling stations about the ethanol content of petrol and the compatibility of different vehicle models.
The mobilisation adds to growing political and consumer pressure over the blending programme. Motorists have complained about declining fuel economy and uncertainty over warranties, while opposition parties and campaign groups have called for conventional petrol to be sold alongside E20.
The government has defended ethanol blending as a strategic programme designed to reduce crude oil imports, cut emissions and increase demand for agricultural produce. Officials maintain that the policy was developed after consultations with automobile companies, research institutions and fuel suppliers.
Petrol containing 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol is now widely supplied as part of the accelerated ethanol blending programme. The original target for achieving nationwide E20 availability was advanced from 2030 to the 2025-26 supply cycle after blending levels rose faster than initially projected.
Technical assessments prepared during the policy’s development indicated that mileage could fall by about six to seven per cent in four-wheelers designed for E10 petrol and calibrated for conventional fuel. The estimated reduction for two-wheelers was around three to four per cent, although actual performance varies by vehicle, engine condition, driving style and manufacturer specifications.
Ethanol contains less energy per litre than petrol, making some loss of fuel economy an expected consequence of higher blending. Supporters argue that improved engine design and calibration can limit the effect in vehicles built specifically for E20.
Material compatibility is another point of dispute. Ethanol can interact differently with certain rubber components, plastics, seals and fuel-system materials. Vehicles designed for E20 use components selected to withstand the higher ethanol concentration, while some older models may require closer maintenance or replacement of vulnerable parts.
Automobile manufacturers began producing E20 material-compliant vehicles before the nationwide expansion of the fuel. Vehicles manufactured from April 2023 were required to meet updated compatibility standards, while engines fully optimised for E20 were scheduled to enter the market in phases.
Transport associations say the transition arrangements have not adequately addressed the large number of older taxis, tourist vehicles and privately owned cars still operating. Commercial operators are especially sensitive to even modest mileage losses because their vehicles cover long distances and fuel represents a substantial share of operating costs.
The government has said ethanol blending has generated foreign-exchange savings by reducing petroleum imports and has channelled additional payments towards sugar mills, distilleries and farmers. The programme has also expanded beyond sugarcane-based feedstocks to include damaged food grains, maize and surplus rice, increasing domestic ethanol production capacity.
Critics contend that the financial benefits should be weighed against the cost imposed on motorists through reduced mileage and possible repairs. They have also raised questions about water use, crop allocation, food security and the environmental impact of expanding feedstock cultivation.
