’Show me one petrol vehicle damaged by ethanol’: Gadkari challenges E20 critics

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 8, 2026: Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari rejected claims that E20 petrol damages vehicles, challenging critics to produce a verified case of a petrol vehicle being corroded because of ethanol.

Gadkari, while speaking at the Sudarshan Conclave 2026 - ’Bharat Nirman,’ said, "I challenge anyone to show me a single petrol vehicle that has been corroded because of ethanol."

He asked anyone whose petrol vehicle had allegedly been damaged due to ethanol-blended fuel to file a complaint with the vehicle manufacturer or dealer and share a copy with him. "Please send a copy of the complaint to both the dealer and me," he said, adding that his ministry was willing to investigate such complaints.

Gadkari said he was not aware of any complaint received by vehicle manufacturers linking E20 petrol to vehicle damage. Referring to statements by automakers, he said companies including Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, Bajaj, TVS and Hero had publicly stated that they had not received such complaints.

He also said ethanol-blended petrol is used in several countries, including Brazil, the United States, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan, and that vehicle manufacturers approve compatibility with such fuel only after extensive testing.

Citing one example, Gadkari said a person had claimed on social media that ethanol had damaged a Toyota vehicle. He said the company asked for the vehicle to be inspected and later found that the fuel was adulterated with water, after which it filed a police complaint. Gadkari presented this as an example of the misinformation surrounding ethanol-blended fuel.

Rejecting allegations circulating on social media, Gadkari said, "All of these claims are fake." He alleged that some posts were being spread through fake social media accounts and urged people not to rely on unverified claims.