E20 damaging engines, pushing up sugar prices: Kejriwal in Goa

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday alleged that E20, or ethanol-blended petrol, has been damaging vehicle engines and reducing mileage, citing what he said were public responses to a video he released on the issue. He also linked the policy to a rise in sugar prices, alleging that sugarcane equivalent to nearly 25 lakh tonnes of sugar had been diverted for ethanol production.

The Centre has already rejected the Opposition's claims and blamed the industry for raising sugar prices despite sufficient stock to meet domestic demand. Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to Goa, is scheduled to take part in a town hall on Tuesday to raise concerns over the use of E20 petrol.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Kejriwal said he had received thousands of messages and comments from people after seeking public views on E20. "Because of this, people's engines are getting damaged, fuel systems are being affected, and people are seeing a substantial drop in mileage," he alleged.

Referring to the response to his appeal, Kejriwal said, "We received thousands of WhatsApp messages and thousands of comments. People are ready to join us." The AAP, which has two MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly, has announced a campaign against what it called the "forced implementation" of E20 fuel in the state, which is due to go to the polls in 2027.

Kejriwal also linked the ethanol blending policy to the recent rise in sugar prices. He alleged that the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production had contributed to the increase, and claimed that sugar prices had gone up from around Rs 45 per kg on July 31 to more than Rs 70 per kg. "There may be slight variations in different places, but now it has crossed Rs 70 per kg. In just one month, sugar prices have increased by Rs 25 per kg," he said.

He alleged that the government should have foreseen a shortage after diverting sugarcane for ethanol. "When they started diverting sugarcane for ethanol, their experts should at least have calculated that if so much sugarcane is being diverted for ethanol production, there will be a corresponding shortage of sugar. Where will the sugar come from?" he asked.

Kejriwal further claimed that the E20 policy had failed to deliver the projected foreign exchange savings from reduced petrol consumption. "Now, with that foreign exchange, we are importing sugar and meals. So, whatever was supposedly saved here, there has been no saving of foreign exchange," he alleged. He also claimed that people across the country were suffering because of what he termed "adulterated petrol". In a sharp attack on the Union government, he alleged, "I don't think there has ever been a more foolish and stupid government in the last 75 years than this one".

The Centre introduced E20, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, as part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and cut dependence on crude oil imports. After a phased rollout, E20 became the only petrol variant available at fuel pumps across the country from April 2026. The move has raised concerns among some vehicle owners, with motorists reporting reduced engine performance and fears of damage to fuel lines and other components, while owners of older vehicles have sought the availability of lower blends such as E10.

Industry executives, however, have said that E20 petrol has undergone rigorous scientific testing, is safe for both new and older vehicles, and is important for reducing India's reliance on imported crude oil. The debate over its impact on vehicles and sugar supplies has now become a political issue as AAP steps up its campaign in Goa.