Survey Shows Majority Oppose Mandatory E20 Fuel Rollout

• C-Voter survey finds 52% of respondents oppose ethanol-blended E20 fuel.
• Around 53% of NDA voters say they do not want to use E20.
• Most respondents seek fuel choice and lower prices for ethanol blends.
• Government maintains E20 strengthens energy security despite concerns.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th July: A nationwide C-Voter survey has found that a majority of Indians, including more than half of BJP-led NDA supporters, are reluctant to use E20 fuel, with many expressing concerns over reduced mileage, possible engine damage and the lack of consumer choice.

According to the survey conducted on July 8 and 9 among 1,641 respondents aged 18 and above, 52 per cent opposed the government’s ethanol-blended petrol programme, while 25.9 per cent remained undecided. Only 22 per cent supported the initiative.

Among NDA supporters, about 53 per cent said they did not want to use E20 fuel in their vehicles. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents across political affiliations believed the ethanol blending programme was being implemented without sufficient research, while fewer than 16 per cent disagreed.

The survey found that 55 per cent of respondents would prefer not to use E20, citing fears of vehicle damage. Around 54.2 per cent believed the fuel could harm engines, while 52.8 per cent felt it would reduce fuel efficiency.

A strong majority of respondents also sought greater consumer choice. Around 76 per cent said petrol pumps should offer both ethanol-blended fuel and conventional petrol simultaneously. A similar proportion believed E20 should be sold at a lower price than regular petrol to compensate consumers for perceived risks. However, even with a price reduction, only 40.8 per cent said they would choose E20.

The survey also showed that 56.3 per cent of respondents, including 49.2 per cent of BJP voters, considered it unfair to make E20 mandatory for owners of older vehicles not specifically designed for the higher ethanol blend.

At the same time, 43 per cent of BJP supporters believed ethanol blending would help reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil and strengthen the country’s energy security.

The findings come days after the Centre strongly defended the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel. The government has argued that the programme is aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil and insulating the economy from global energy shocks, particularly amid geopolitical tensions affecting oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said ethanol blending has already helped India save around ₹1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange. He acknowledged that some concerns regarding mileage and compatibility in older vehicles exist but maintained that they are manageable and vary according to driving conditions.

The minister also rejected demands for multiple fuel options at petrol pumps, stating that existing underground storage infrastructure makes it impractical to supply different ethanol blends simultaneously. He reiterated that ethanol blending remains a key component of India’s long-term energy security and Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy.