NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on August 31 a petition seeking mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol content in petrol at fuel stations across India. The plea calls for every petrol pump dispensing nozzle to clearly disclose the exact percentage of ethanol blended in petrol, particularly amid the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel.According to the Supreme Court’s August 31 causelist, the matter will be heard by a bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale.The petition, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, also seeks directions requiring petrol pump operators to clearly mention the ethanol percentage in fuel invoices, allowing consumers to know the exact ethanol blend they are purchasing.The plea has sought the creation of a publicly accessible vehicle-wise E20 compatibility database, searchable by manufacturer, vehicle model, engine type and year of manufacture. Such a database would help vehicle owners determine whether their cars and two-wheelers are compatible with different ethanol-blended petrol formulations.E20 Petrol Compatibility Under ScrutinyThe petition also seeks an independent expert committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Bureau of Indian Standards and independent automobile engineers.The proposed committee would examine the real-world compatibility of E20 petrol with India’s existing vehicle fleet and assess its impact on fuel efficiency, engine longevity, maintenance costs, vehicle warranties and insurance.The petitioner has also raised questions about the wider impact of the ethanol blending programme, including tailpipe emissions, water consumption during ethanol production, food security and the possible diversion of agricultural resources towards fuel production.Plea Seeks Consumer Protection Rules For Ethanol-Blended PetrolThe petition further seeks a national consumer disclosure protocol for ethanol-blended petrol, to be framed in consultation with the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards.It has also asked authorities to place before the apex court policy files, technical studies, E20 vehicle compatibility reports, safety standards, consumer advisories and public consultation records supporting the compulsory rollout of E20 petrol.Lower-Ethanol Fuel Option Sought For Older VehiclesThe plea has called for a transparent and time-bound transition framework for legacy and non-E20-compatible vehicles. It has suggested considering designated availability of lower-ethanol petrol wherever technically, economically and logistically feasible.The petition comes amid growing public discussion around E20 petrol, ethanol blending in India, vehicle compatibility and fuel efficiency, with consumers seeking greater clarity about the ethanol content of petrol and its potential impact on their vehicles.
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