‘Low mileage, high costs’: E20 woes take centrestage as Arvind Kejriwal parades those affected

Mechanical engineer Arif Ahmed presented a throttle body, an engine component, during a town hall meeting organized by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa. He alleged that the introduction of E20 ethanol-blended fuel has led to issues with throttle bodies, impacting injectors, rubber O-rings, and causing a white powder buildup. In Goa, where the majority of families own two-wheelers and four-wheelers, the impact of E20 has been severe, with many customers experiencing reduced mileage and engine damage.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal highlighted that the density of vehicle ownership in Goa is much higher than the national average, exacerbating the issue. He claimed that the average mileage of motorcycles has dropped by 30 to 40% since the rollout of E20 fuel, causing significant financial strain for people who rely on their vehicles for daily commutes and work.

Kejriwal accused the government of pressuring the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) into withdrawing a study that raised concerns about the compatibility of vehicles with E20 fuel, as officials of nine companies reportedly declined to speak openly, fearing legal repercussions from regulatory agencies.