New Delhi, Aug 14, KNT: The Government of India’s aggressive push for ethanol-blended petrol has come under sharp public criticism, as motorists and automobile experts allege that the move is inflicting more harm than benefit on both consumers and vehicle engines, without delivering the promised relief in fuel prices.
Introduced as part of the National Policy on Biofuels and aggressively expanded in recent years, the ethanol blending programme is touted by the Centre as an environmentally friendly step that reduces crude oil imports and promotes farmers’ income through higher ethanol demand. However, on the ground, vehicle owners report a litany of problems, engine wear and tear, reduced mileage, and no perceptible drop in the cost of petrol at the pump.
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Automobile service workshops across major cities have begun noticing a rise in complaints linked to ethanol-blended fuel. Mechanics point out that ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture, which can lead to corrosion in metal parts, degradation of rubber seals, and clogging in fuel systems. Vehicles designed for pure petrol are particularly vulnerable, as their engines are not optimised to handle the chemical properties of high ethanol content. Owners of two-wheelers and older cars are reporting more frequent repairs and part replacements, translating into higher maintenance costs.
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Drivers also complain that ethanol-blended fuel burns faster than pure petrol, leading to a noticeable drop in mileage. Ethanol contains less energy per litre compared to petrol, meaning that more fuel is needed to cover the same distance. The government’s own studies acknowledge this drawback, yet blending targets continue to be raised without ensuring that consumer losses are offset.
Perhaps the most contentious point is that petrol prices have not decreased despite the cheaper production cost of ethanol. While the blending process theoretically reduces dependency on expensive crude imports, the savings are not reflected in retail pricing. Fuel prices in many Indian cities remain at historically high levels, with no concession passed on to the public. Critics accuse the government of using ethanol blending to pad revenue through taxes rather than to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
Energy policy experts warn that the ethanol push, in its current form, risks backfiring. Without significant investment in ethanol-compatible engine technology, fuel storage upgrades, and transparent pricing mechanisms, the programme could undermine public trust in clean energy initiatives. Some call for an independent audit of the policy’s economic and environmental claims, along with a pause on raising blending percentages until safeguards for consumers and vehicles are in place.
While the Centre continues to frame ethanol blending as a green energy success story, on the streets, motorists see it as yet another example of policy disconnected from lived reality, one that damages engines, eats into mileage, and leaves wallets just as empty as before. [KNT]
