Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Gadkari Challenges Claims Ethanol Petrol Damages Vehicles
Nitin Gadkari says ethanol-blended petrol has not damaged vehicles.
He challenged anyone with a complaint to show a damaged vehicle.
He said major car companies tested vehicles using even 100% ethanol and reported no complaints.
Gadkari believes some opposition comes from businesses connected to imported fuel.
He said ethanol can help farmers earn money by producing energy crops.
Corn-based ethanol has reportedly created up to ₹45,000 crore in extra earnings for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
He also mentioned making aviation fuel from rice straw.
Bihar’s chief minister asked investors to support the state and promised government help for good-quality products.
Nitin Gadkari challenged critics to show a vehicle damaged by ethanol-blended petrol.
He said leading automobile brands tested vehicles on 100% ethanol without receiving complaints.
Gadkari attributed opposition to commercial interests linked to conventional fuel imports worth ₹22 lakh crore.
He said ethanol production from corn generated up to ₹45,000 crore in additional earnings for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary urged investment and promised government support for quality production.
- Who
- Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
- What
- Gadkari defended ethanol blending in petrol against claims that it damages vehicles and promoted ethanol-based agricultural opportunities.
- Where
- The remarks concerned India, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Gadkari said ethanol blending can diversify agriculture, increase farmer earnings and reduce reliance on imported conventional fuel.
Ethanol Policy Supporters
Ethanol Policy Critics
Vehicle safety
Ethanol Policy Supporters
Nitin Gadkari said leading automobile brands tested vehicles on 100% ethanol and reported no complaints, challenging critics to show a damaged vehicle.
Ethanol Policy Critics
Opponents have raised claims that ethanol-blended petrol can damage vehicles, although the article does not identify specific critics or provide documented damage cases.
Economic impact
Ethanol Policy Supporters
Gadkari said ethanol supports farmers, creates additional earnings and reduces dependence on imported conventional fuel.
Ethanol Policy Critics
Gadkari said businesses connected to conventional fuel imports may oppose the policy because their commercial interests could be affected.
- Fuel import value
- Conventional fuel imports were described as worth ₹22 lakh crore.
- Ethanol testing
- Gadkari said leading automobile brands tested vehicles on 100% ethanol without complaints.
- Farmer earnings
- Corn-based ethanol generated additional earnings of up to ₹45,000 crore for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Agricultural goal
- The policy aims to diversify agriculture toward energy and power production.
- Alternative fuel
- Gadkari cited producing aviation fuel from rice straw.
- Bihar investment
- Samrat Choudhary promised government backing for quality production and investment.