E20 Petrol Policy Faces Supreme Court Scrutiny Amidst Vehicle Compatibility Concerns

The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the Indian government’s E20 petrol policy. The hearing date is scheduled for September 1, 2025. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and including Justices K Vinod and NV Anjaria, will preside over the case. Advocate Akshay Malhotra filed the PIL, which seeks a directive to ensure that oil marketing companies (OMCs) continue offering ethanol-free petrol (E0). The PIL also requests clear labeling of petrol, specifying its ethanol content, to inform consumers. The government’s E20 policy, intended to decrease reliance on crude oil imports and promote cleaner fuel, has sparked concerns regarding the compatibility of E20 with older vehicles and potential impact on their performance and maintenance.