3 weeks ago
Kejriwal alleges E20 policy imposed under Trump pressure
Arvind Kejriwal is a leader of a political party in India called the Aam Aadmi Party.
He said India's government made a rule to mix more ethanol into fuel, which is called E20.
Ethanol is a fuel made from plants that can be produced in large amounts.
Kejriwal thinks the government made this rule because the President of the United States, Donald Trump, wanted India to buy ethanol from America.
He said India bought a lot of American ethanol last year and will buy even more this year.
Kejriwal said many cars, bikes and petrol stations in India are not ready for this new fuel.
He also said E20 fuel costs more and makes cars travel less distance.
So he asked people to wait before buying new petrol or diesel cars.
His party held an online meeting and started a petition against the E20 rule.
He believes that if people vote against the ruling party in the 2027 Goa elections, the government might remove the rule.
Arvind Kejriwal alleged the BJP-led Centre implemented the E20 fuel blending programme under pressure from US President Donald Trump to facilitate American ethanol imports.
Kejriwal claimed India imported one billion litres of ethanol from the US last year and would import five billion litres this year.
He alleged infrastructure was not upgraded, with petrol pumps not redesigned, storage tanks not upgraded, oil tankers not modified, and about 30 crore pre-2023 vehicles not designed for E20 fuel.
The AAP leader urged people to defer buying petrol and diesel vehicles, warning that the Centre may introduce higher blends such as E30 and E40.
Kejriwal questioned the government's claim of extensive testing, said AAP has held a nationwide online town hall and launched an online petition, and linked the issue to the 2027 Goa assembly elections.
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP convener and former Delhi chief minister, levelling allegations against the BJP-led Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Allegation that the E20 ethanol blending policy was imposed under pressure from the US to create a market for American ethanol imports, without upgrading infrastructure or ensuring vehicles were compatible.
- Where
- Panaji, Goa, at a press conference; the policy applies across India.
- When
- On Friday, when Kejriwal spoke to reporters in Panaji; the E20 policy was announced in 2022 with a three-year implementation timeline.
- Why
- Kejriwal claims the policy benefits US ethanol producers and was rushed, since petrol pumps, storage tanks, oil tankers and roughly 30 crore pre-2023 vehicles were not prepared for E20.
Kejriwal and AAP
BJP-led Centre
Reason behind the E20 mandate
Kejriwal and AAP
Kejriwal says the policy was forced under pressure from US President Donald Trump to create a market for surplus American ethanol, with imports claimed to rise from one billion litres last year to five billion litres this year.
BJP-led Centre
The government claims E20 was introduced after extensive testing, a claim Kejriwal has questioned and asked to be made public.
Timeline and readiness
Kejriwal and AAP
Three years between the 2022 announcement and rollout was insufficient; petrol pumps, storage tanks, oil tankers and about 30 crore pre-2023 vehicles were not upgraded or made compatible.
BJP-led Centre
The government proceeded with nationwide implementation of E20 based on its claim that the blend had been extensively tested.
Key facts
- Accusation
- E20 policy imposed under pressure from US President Donald Trump to facilitate American ethanol imports
- Claimed ethanol imports from US
- 1 billion litres last year; 5 billion litres projected this year
- Policy timeline
- Announced in 2022; three years given for implementation
- Claimed incompatible vehicles
- About 30 crore vehicles manufactured before 2023 (22 crore two-wheelers, 8 crore cars)
- Claimed infrastructure gaps
- Petrol pumps not redesigned, storage tanks not upgraded, oil tankers not modified
- Claimed planned future blends
- E30 and E40
- AAP actions
- Nationwide online town hall and online petition against the E20 policy
- Political context
- 2027 Goa assembly elections; Kejriwal appealed to voters to defeat the BJP
Quotes
Arvind Kejriwal
AAP convener and former Delhi chief minister
“"Petrol pumps were not redesigned, storage tanks were not upgraded, oil tankers were not modified, and millions of vehicles on the road are not compatible with E20. Yet the government imposed it across the country."”
theprint.in
Sources
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