Modi's Biofuel Push Faces Backlash as Motorists Protest Over Mileage Loss and Engine Concerns

India's ethanol-blending programme — a centrepiece of the Modi government's biofuel strategy — is facing its most visible public pushback yet, with motorists taking to the streets in protest over claims of reduced mileage and potential engine damage from E20 petrol, which contains up to 20 per cent ethanol.

Oil company representatives have insisted that ethanol-blended petrol is safe to use and meets vehicle standards, while the auto industry has broadly defended the fuel's compatibility with modern engines. However, consumer complaints have continued to mount, with many vehicle owners reporting a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency that they attribute to higher ethanol content.

The E20 debate has now spilled into the political arena, with Bloomberg reporting that Modi's biofuel push is under pressure from the protests. Critics argue that consumers are bearing the cost of an environmental policy through higher effective fuel expenses, without having been adequately informed or compensated.

The government's biofuel roadmap is tied to reducing India's oil import bill and cutting carbon emissions — goals that enjoy broad policy support. But the gap between policy ambition and everyday consumer experience is now a flashpoint. The coming weeks will likely see the government weigh whether to moderate the blending mandate or intensify efforts to reassure a sceptical public.