Supreme Court dismisses PIL seeking disclosure of ethanol content in petrol at fuel pumps

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation seeking mandatory disclosure of the exact ethanol content in petrol sold at fuel pumps across the country.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale dismissed the plea filed by advocate Narendra Goswami.

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The petition sought directions requiring petrol pumps to prominently display the precise percentage of ethanol blended with petrol. It also sought the inclusion of ethanol content on receipts and invoices issued to consumers at fuel stations.

It also asked the court to ensure greater transparency around the rollout of ethanol-blended petrol and the implications for consumers using different vehicle models.

E20 impact assessment

The plea sought the constitution of an independent expert committee comprising representatives from the ministries of petroleum and natural gas, and road transport and highways, the Bureau of Indian Standards and independent automobile engineers.

The committee was asked to examine the real-world compatibility of E20 fuel across the existing vehicle fleet and submit a public report.

It was also asked to assess the impact of ethanol blending on fuel efficiency, engine longevity, maintenance costs, and warranty and insurance implications.

The proposed report was to cover the programme’s environmental footprint, including tailpipe emissions and water consumption linked to ethanol production, as well as concerns relating to food security and the diversion of feed.

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Consumer disclosure and vehicle transition

The petition also sought 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 asked authorities to place before the Supreme Court policy files, technical studies, compatibility reports, safety standards, consumer advisories and records of public consultations supporting the compulsory rollout of E20 fuel.

The plea further sought a transparent, time-bound transition framework for legacy and non-compatible vehicles, including consideration of lower-ethanol petrol availability wherever technically, economically and logistically feasible.

Government weighs mandatory chloride limits

The government, meanwhile, is considering making it mandatory for oil marketing companies and other players in the automotive fuel supply chain to meet the existing limit of less than 3 parts per million (ppm) for chloride contamination in E20 petrol.

The threshold is currently part of the voluntary quality specifications for ethanol-blended petrol. The Bureau of Indian Standards, which sets fuel-quality standards, is working on making the requirement compulsory.

“We want to make the limits for contaminants mandatory,” an official told ET last week, adding that the move would help ensure better quality standards.

The consideration follows automakers’ concerns over instances of elevated chloride levels and excess moisture in E20 petrol supplied at fuel stations. They have linked such contamination to an increase in failures of certain vehicle components.

Fuel samples collected from vehicle tanks have, in some instances, shown high chloride concentrations, intensifying concerns over fuel quality as policymakers and the automobile industry discuss the possibility of moving towards higher ethanol blends in the future.

India achieved its target of blending 20% ethanol with petrol five years ahead of its original schedule.