Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Kejriwal warns higher ethanol petrol blends may strain motorists
Arvind Kejriwal says India may soon use petrol containing more ethanol.
E20 petrol contains 20 percent ethanol, while E30 and E40 would contain more.
He claims the government is testing these higher blends.
He says some vehicles may not work properly with fuel containing more ethanol.
He also says petrol pumps and vehicle parts may need changes.
Kejriwal advised people to be careful about buying vehicles now.
He linked the policy to higher sugar prices because some sugar is being used to make ethanol.
The government’s response to these claims was not included in the article.
Arvind Kejriwal claimed the Centre is preparing to introduce E30 and later E40 petrol.
He alleged the government is waiting for opposition to E20 petrol to decline before raising blending levels.
Kejriwal warned that higher ethanol blends could create problems for vehicles designed for E20 fuel.
He said the transition would require changes to fuel storage, engines, injectors and new vehicles.
He linked ethanol production to sugar shortages and alleged that sugar prices rose from Rs 45 to Rs 75 per kg.
- Who
- AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal made the claims about the Centre’s ethanol-blending plans.
- What
- He alleged that E30 and E40 petrol could follow E20 and cause difficulties for vehicle owners.
- When
- On Tuesday.
- Where
- At a town hall meeting in Goa.
- Why
- Kejriwal said higher ethanol blending could damage or disrupt vehicles, require infrastructure changes and contribute to sugar shortages.
- Current blend discussed
- E20 petrol, containing 20 percent ethanol.
- Potential future blends
- Kejriwal claimed E30 would be followed by E40 petrol.
- Vehicle warning
- He said vehicles designed for E20 could face problems with higher ethanol blends.
- Required changes alleged
- Kejriwal cited possible changes to petrol-pump storage tanks, engines, fuel injectors and new vehicles.
- Transition timeline alleged
- He claimed a process normally taking 15–20 years had been compressed into three years.
- Sugar price claim
- He alleged that sugar prices rose from Rs 45 per kg on July 30 to Rs 75 per kg in the market.
- Political allegation
- Kejriwal claimed the blending policy was being pursued under pressure from US President Donald Trump.