E20 fuel opposition was 'paid campaign': India's transport minister

India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has characterized recent opposition to E20 fuel as a 'paid campaign,' defending the government's push toward ethanol-blended petrol as a strategic measure to strengthen the country's energy security.

Gadkari stated that E20—a fuel containing 20 percent ethanol mixed with 80 percent petrol—represents a viable pathway for India to decrease its dependence on imported crude oil. By promoting domestic ethanol blending, the minister argued, India can significantly reduce the quantum of fossil fuel imports and preserve crucial foreign exchange reserves.

The minister's comments come amid ongoing debate over the adoption of E20 fuel, with various stakeholders raising concerns about vehicle compatibility, engine performance, and fuel economy. Gadkari's assertion that opposition stems from organized efforts rather than genuine technical objections underscores the government's commitment to advancing the ethanol-blending initiative.

India, which imports over 80 percent of its crude oil requirements, has increasingly focused on alternative fuel strategies as part of its broader energy independence agenda. The promotion of ethanol blending aligns with government objectives to leverage domestic agricultural resources and reduce import dependency while supporting the farming sector through enhanced demand for sugarcane-based ethanol production.

Photo: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari speaks at a conference on sustainable transport finance in New Delhi, September 2022. Press Information Bureau, Government of India, via Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India).