AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited a petrol pump and vehicle service station in Delhi on Saturday, July 11, to interact directly with motorists about their experience using E20 ethanol-blended petrol. During the visit, he spoke with people refuelling their vehicles as well as those who had brought their cars and two-wheelers for servicing. According to Kejriwal, several vehicle owners claimed they had noticed a decline in fuel efficiency after switching to E20 petrol, while some also reported mechanical issues that they believed were linked to the fuel. The visit was aimed at understanding consumer experiences and gathering firsthand feedback on the government’s ethanol blending programme.

After meeting vehicle owners, Kejriwal shared his observations on social media, stating that many consumers expressed concerns about reduced mileage and vehicle performance. He alleged that the government’s assurances regarding E20 fuel did not match the experiences shared by the public and described the official claims as misleading. Stressing the importance of public participation in policymaking, he said citizens should be free to raise concerns without being ignored or criticised. He added that governments in a democracy have a responsibility to listen to people’s grievances and address issues that affect their daily lives.

The visit comes amid an ongoing debate over the nationwide rollout of E20-blended petrol. Earlier, Kejriwal had written to multiple automobile manufacturers seeking their views on the compatibility of vehicles with E20 fuel. Meanwhile, the Central Government recently issued a detailed clarification rejecting claims circulating on social media that E20 petrol causes widespread engine damage, invalidates vehicle insurance, or harms the environment. The government maintained that the ethanol blending programme is safe and beneficial, while the discussion over its real-world impact on vehicle performance continues among consumers, industry experts, and political leaders.