PIL seeks ethanol blend disclosure at fuel pumps
The lawsuit filed in the public interest also seeks a vehicle-by-vehicle compatibility database showing which vehicle models are suitable for various ethanol blends. He argues that the state can encourage or incentivize ethanol blending but cannot force citizens to expose their vehicles to potential risks without transparency.
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It calls for the formation of an expert committee comprising the petroleum ministry, road transport ministry, consumer organisations, as well as automobile engineers, fuel technologists, environmental experts, public health experts and water resources experts, to examine real-world E20 compatibility, fuel efficiency, engine life, maintenance cost, warranty and insurance implications, environmental footprint, water use concerns and food safety and feed diversion issues.
The petitioner, lawyer Narendra Kumar Goswami, said India is not trying to roll back its ethanol blending policy and accepts that energy security, reducing crude oil imports, environmental goals and support to farmers are legitimate policy objectives.
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The PIL also seeks protection against denial of warranty, insurance or service benefits if the consumer uses blended fuel because no reasonable alternative is offered.
The government is actively promoting the blending of ethanol with fossil fuels to reduce dependence on crude oil imports. India currently sells E20 or 20% ethanol blended oil across the country. It also started offering E85 fuel last month.
