New Delhi/Goa, August 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the use of E20-blended petrol, urging voters in Goa and Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections and claiming that such a political setback would force the government to withdraw the fuel blend.
Addressing an AAP townhall at Miramar in Goa, Kejriwal alleged that the government was imposing E20 despite concerns over vehicle compatibility and claimed that around 80 per cent of vehicles in the country were not compatible with the fuel blend.
He alleged that motorists were reporting mileage reductions of 30-40 per cent and claimed that the engines and fuel transmission systems of 60-70 per cent of vehicles were being damaged.
“After listening to people’s experiences with E20, it has become clear that the mileage of almost all vehicles has fallen by 30 to 40 per cent, while the engines and fuel transmission systems of 60 to 70 per cent of vehicles are being damaged,” Kejriwal said.
He described Goa as particularly affected because of its high vehicle ownership. According to him, 87 per cent of families in the state own two-wheelers and 47 per cent own four-wheelers, both figures higher than the national average.
Kejriwal also claimed that E20 petrol had been available at petrol pumps across the country since April 1, 2026, with pure petrol no longer available.
He said AAP had written to 29 automobile manufacturers seeking their views on whether E20 could safely be used in vehicles manufactured before 2023. According to Kejriwal, none responded formally, while officials from nine companies subsequently spoke to the party on condition of anonymity and allegedly expressed concerns about using E20 in older petrol vehicles.
Kejriwal further alleged that automobile manufacturers had opposed E20 at a meeting of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and claimed that a report submitted to the Centre on July 28 calling for discontinuation of E20 was subsequently withdrawn after government pressure.
These claims by Kejriwal could not be independently verified from the material provided.
The AAP leader also linked ethanol blending to rising sugar prices. He claimed that sugarcane equivalent to 25 lakh tonnes of sugar had been diverted towards ethanol production, contributing to a shortage and pushing sugar prices from Rs 45 per kg on July 30 to Rs 75 per kg.
Kejriwal questioned the government’s argument that ethanol blending would reduce crude oil imports and save foreign exchange, arguing that any savings could be offset by the need to import sugar.
He also criticised the Centre’s approach to ethanol policy, alleging that the government was preparing to move from E20 to higher blends such as E30, E40 and E85. He claimed that ethanol blending could eventually be introduced in diesel and CNG as well.
Comparing India’s approach with other countries, Kejriwal said Japan currently uses E3 and plans to reach E20 by 2040, while the US, despite being the world’s largest ethanol producer, uses E10. He said Brazil moved from E5 to E20 over several decades, arguing that India was implementing the transition too quickly.
Kejriwal also accused the BJP of dismissing criticism of E20 and said motorists were facing financial and mental stress when vehicles developed problems.
Turning the issue into an electoral appeal, he said the BJP’s alleged confidence that voters would continue supporting it regardless of public grievances needed to be challenged.
“The BJP people are arrogant. They believe they can do whatever they want and will still win,” Kejriwal said.
He claimed that if the BJP lost the Goa and Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Centre would withdraw E20 by March 15, after the results were announced on March 10.
“In Goa, 87% of people own two wheelers and 47% own four wheelers, and they are suffering because of E20. If everyone collectively decides that they will not vote for the BJP this time, then I believe that if E20 is not withdrawn within five days, I will leave politics,” he said.
Kejriwal also urged people not to buy new vehicles immediately, claiming that higher ethanol blends could make vehicles incompatible with the fuel in the future.
He warned that once public attention on E20 subsided, the government could move towards E30 and further higher blends.
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