E20 Janta Party campaign demands choice of ethanol-free petrol

Not long after the success of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protests, a new social media-led campaign calling itself the E20 Janta Party has cropped up. It demands that Indian vehicle owners be given the option to purchase ethanol-free petrol alongside E20 fuel, as well as the resignation of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, a major proponent of the government’s ethanol blending policy.

For context, the E20 rollout started in April 2025, and it was mandated as the baseline petrol blend exactly one year later – all in an effort to reduce dependence on crude oil imports. E20 compliance was mandated in April 2023 as part of the BS6 Phase 2 emission norms, which means a hefty chunk of vehicles plying on Indian roads are not designed for E20 fuel.

E20 Janta Party wants more transparency and options for fuel

No demands for E20 to be discontinued

Inspired by the CJP’s satirical, meme-driven approach, E20 Janta Party declared itself as a consumer rights movement that is not seeking the withdrawal of E20 petrol but instead greater transparency and freedom of choice at fuel stations. Although ethanol-free fuel has been available in the form of 100-octane premium petrol (XP100, Speed100 and Power100), it is sold only at select fuel stations and costs significantly more than standard E20, limiting its feasibility for most motorists.

“Our demand is very clear. E20 Janta Party is a people-powered movement demanding transparency, accountability and the right of every Indian to know how the E20 policy affects their vehicles, wallets and consumer rights,” the group said in a social media post. The campaign even referenced CJP’s initial call to mobilisation with a post stating, “What if all bike/car owners come together?”

The E20 Janta Party says it is not opposed to ethanol blending, nor is it asking for subsidies or free fuel. Instead, it wants fuel stations to offer consumers the choice between unblended petrol and ethanol-blended fuel. E20 Janta Party is also demanding transparent fuel labelling, publication of government data on the costs and benefits of different fuel blends, and independent scientific studies into mileage, engine performance, emissions and maintenance costs, with the findings made publicly available.

Support pouring in for E20 Janta Party

At the time of writing, E20 Janta Party’s Twitter and Instagram accounts have attracted over 2.95 lakh followers cumulatively, and the campaign has even begun attracting support beyond social media. Political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla announced a “Gaadi March” on July 31 against the E20 policy, while the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association planned a march to Parliament on August 4. The taxi association has raised concerns over fuel efficiency, maintenance costs and engine performance, particularly in older vehicles.

Govt continues to stand strong on ethanol blending policy

In recent months, motorists have expressed heightened acrimony surrounding the impact of E20 petrol on fuel efficiency and vehicle durability, whereas the government remains steadfast in its defence of the policy, saying E20 is a safe and cleaner fuel backed by scientific evaluation. A few weeks ago, prominent manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, and Hero Motocorp also backed E20 at a government briefing, notably claiming that they have found no significant concerns regarding accelerated wear and tear in older, non-compliant vehicles.

Petroleum Minister previously ruled out offering pure petrol or E10 alongside E20

Replying to a question in Parliament last week, Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi said the government had not received any "widespread or substantiated" complaints linking E20 petrol to vehicle performance issues. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri earlier shot down the prospect of offering unblended and E10 petrol alongside E20, citing tremendous logistical issues like separate storage, transportation, and dispensing infrastructures.

Ethanol content in petrol could increase; diesel likely to be blended with isobutanol

The government is even looking to increase the baseline ethanol blend in petrol, with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) tasked to examine the effects of E25 on existing E10- and E20-compliant vehicles. Plans are also underway to blend ethanol-derived isobutanol into diesel in the near future, even though the government has not laid out any isobutanol compliance framework for any diesel-powered passenger vehicle in India.