Telugu actor and superstar Mahesh Babu, along with his stepbrother Naresh Vijaya Krishna, publicly voiced their opinions regarding the disputes surrounding the use of E20 gasoline in the country. Naresh shared his concerns in a post on the social media platform X.
Naresh emphasized that he is not against the country's interests, but noted that owners of various vehicles, from motorcycles to expensive cars, are facing difficulties due to E20. In his message on X, he stated: 'I am not against the country, but this ethanol-blended gasoline causes heart attacks in everyone, from motorcycle riders to owners of expensive cars.'
The actor announced that he has decided to fuel his Porsche Panamera with octane 100 gasoline, which costs about 165 rupees per liter. This decision was made after hearing numerous complaints related to E20. He believes that any mechanical damage to an expensive car could lead to significantly increased expenses.
Naresh cited a friend whose new Toyota Camry required engine valve replacement, costing approximately 3.5 lakh rupees. The actor speculated that a similar issue with his Porsche could require repairs costing up to 12 lakh rupees. He clarified that his concern is not limited to luxury cars; he is also worried about ordinary motorcyclists and drivers of standard cars who cannot afford expensive fuel or hundreds of thousands of rupees in repairs.
Despite this, Naresh expressed respect for the government's efforts to protect the environment. However, he considers the process of introducing ethanol-blended gasoline to be a hasty step. He compared the situation to Brazil, where the introduction of ethanol blending occurred gradually and in stages, and believes India should follow a similar approach. In response to a user who reminded him that Porsche originally recommends premium high-octane gasoline, Naresh replied that he is aware of this, but added that octane 100 gasoline is not always available at every petrol station, especially on highways.
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Saurabh Bharadwaj, called on citizens on Thursday to support an online petition opposing the mandatory introduction of E20 gasoline. He argues that this fuel leads to reduced fuel efficiency and damage to vehicles.
Bharadwaj shared the campaign on the social network X, addressing drivers facing similar issues with a call to 'raise their voice against the forced use of E20 gasoline.' At the time of Bharadwaj's post, the petition addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gathered over 80,000 signatures.
The campaign claims widespread public dissatisfaction regarding the launch of E20 gasoline and accuses the government of ignoring consumer concerns. The appeal to the Prime Minister states: 'The efforts against the introduction of E20 nationwide are huge. I am concerned that the government is not listening to us and is stubbornly insisting on its introduction. There is no logic, science, engineering, or economics that justifies the government's decisions. Perhaps it is a policy I do not understand.'
Petition signatories demand that the option between pure gasoline and E20 gasoline be provided at gas stations instead of mandating the use of E20. They argue that consumers should not be forced to use fuel that they believe negatively affects vehicle performance and longevity.
Furthermore, the petition calls on the government to lower the price of E20 gasoline because its lower calorific value results in reduced mileage compared to regular gasoline. Proponents of the petition believe that drivers are effectively paying the same price for fuel that provides fewer kilometers per liter.
The document emphasizes: 'The government must give us a choice between pure gasoline and E20 at gas stations so that we are not forced to use fuel that damages our cars.' A requirement is also put forward that the pricing of E20 should reflect its lower energy content and fuel efficiency.
This campaign unfolds amid ongoing public discussions about the wider implementation of E20 gasoline, which is a mixture containing 20% ethanol. This is part of the Central Government's biofuel production strategy aimed at reducing crude oil imports and lowering emissions. Although the government promotes this transition as environmentally beneficial, some car owners and consumer groups express concerns regarding fuel consumption, compatibility with older models, and long-term maintenance costs.
