Kejriwal Seeks PM Meeting, Demands Pure Petrol Option Alongside E20 Fuel

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a meeting to discuss concerns surrounding the use of E20 petrol, urging the Centre to provide consumers with the option of purchasing either pure petrol or ethanol-blended fuel at petrol pumps. He also proposed that E20 petrol be priced lower than regular petrol to encourage voluntary adoption. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Kejriwal said he wished to present technical issues related to E20 fuel and share the feedback he had received from members of the public.

He requested an opportunity to explain these concerns directly during a meeting with the Prime Minister. Kejriwal argued that consumers should be free to choose the type of fuel they use rather than being limited to a single option. He said fuel stations should stock both pure petrol and E20 petrol, allowing vehicle owners to decide which fuel best suits their vehicles. “If someone wants pure petrol, they should get that option and those wanting E20 should also have that choice,” Kejriwal said in the letter. The AAP leader also suggested that E20 petrol should be sold at a lower price than pure petrol.

According to him, differential pricing would encourage consumers to opt for ethanol-blended fuel voluntarily while ensuring that those whose vehicles are not compatible with E20 are not disadvantaged. E20 petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol blended with 80 per cent petrol and forms part of the Centre’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, promote cleaner fuels and support the domestic ethanol industry. The government has been expanding the availability of E20 fuel across the country as part of its phased rollout.

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However, the transition has generated discussions among vehicle owners and industry experts regarding compatibility with older vehicles and the long-term impact of higher ethanol blends on engines that were not specifically designed for such fuel.  Automakers have gradually introduced E20-compatible vehicles, while the government has maintained that newer models are being engineered to support the blend. In his letter, Kejriwal indicated that the concerns he intends to raise are based on technical aspects as well as feedback received from the public. He said a direct discussion with the Prime Minister would help address these issues and explore ways to balance environmental objectives with consumer interests.

The Centre has consistently promoted ethanol blending as a means of reducing carbon emissions, improving energy security and increasing income opportunities for farmers by boosting demand for ethanol produced from agricultural feedstocks. The government has also set targets to expand ethanol blending in transport fuels over the coming years. Kejriwal’s request comes amid the ongoing nationwide rollout of E20 petrol and adds a new dimension to the debate over fuel policy. It remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister’s Office will respond to the request for a meeting or consider the proposal to offer both pure petrol and E20 petrol at fuel stations.

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