Aravind Kejriwal, the AAP's national coordinator, criticized the Central Government's nationwide introduction of E20 gasoline on Tuesday, stating that major automotive companies are forced to conceal the risks associated with this fuel.
Speaking at a press conference in Goa ahead of a city assembly meeting on the issue, Kejriwal asserted that top officials from leading car and motorcycle manufacturers have privately acknowledged that E20 fuel could cause serious damage to vehicles produced before 2023, but they refuse to speak publicly about it due to government pressure.
Kejriwal reported that he had sent letters to 29 automotive manufacturing companies requesting information on the safe use of E20 fuel in their vehicles manufactured before 2023, but received no response.
He further stated that he spoke with representatives from nine automotive companies who, according to him, openly discussed the issue but requested anonymity regarding their identities and company names.
According to Kejriwal, these officials informed him that E20 is 'very dangerous fuel,' and its use in gasoline vehicles manufactured before 2023 would be 'extremely dangerous' for those cars.
Nevertheless, he claimed that the company representatives do not wish to discuss the matter publicly because they are under pressure from the Central Government. He added that automakers fear that opposing E20 could trigger inspections by central investigative and tax authorities such as the ED, CBI, or the Tax Department, or even lead to the closure of their production facilities.
Kejriwal also asserted that he 'deals with these officials in various ways,' which is why they do not want to disclose their names or company names.
These statements come amid growing concern over the use of E20 fuel in gasoline cars manufactured before 2023. The AAP party, opposing the Central Government's mandatory implementation of E20, has stated that this blend has led to complaints about reduced fuel efficiency, engine damage, and premature wear of fuel components, with cars made before 2023 suffering the most damage.
Kejriwal's comments are part of a series of city assemblies held by the AAP in major states. The party demands that the Central Government restore consumer choice at petrol pumps by offering standard gasoline alongside ethanol blends.