SC dismisses PIL against E20 policy, backs ethanol blending programme

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the E20 ethanol blending policy, reinforcing India's push for cleaner fuels and support for sugarcane farmers

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the nationwide introduction of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20). A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran heard the matter.

 

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the petitioner, said the plea was not against blending itself but sought ethanol-free petrol for vehicles manufactured before April 2023, which are not E20 compliant. He cited a 2021 NITI Aayog report warning of risks to older vehicles and pointed out that E20 reduces fuel efficiency by about 6 per cent without offering consumers an E0 or E10 option.

 

Opposing the plea, Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said the policy was framed after extensive consultation and with the welfare of sugarcane farmers in mind. 

 

The plea had argued that mandatory E20 violated the rights of vehicle owners, citing lack of awareness, poor pump labelling, and issues such as engine corrosion, lower mileage and rejected insurance claims. It also noted that ethanol’s lower cost had not translated into consumer benefit.

 

Welcoming the order, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) director general Deepak Ballani said the ruling confirmed India’s commitment to cleaner fuels.

 

“ISMA welcomes the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the PIL challenging the E20 ethanol blending policy. The Court’s decision confirms that E20 will continue as planned, reinforcing India’s campaign for cleaner fuels. Achieving a 20 per cent blending target five years ahead of schedule has had a transformative impact: over Rs 1.18 lakh crore paid to farmers, Rs 1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange savings, and a reduction of 698 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This milestone underscores the policy’s benefits for farmers, the economy and the environment, and highlights India’s commitment to a sustainable energy transition,” he said.