Delhi Taxi Unions Protest Mandatory E20 Petrol, Demand Pure Petrol Choice

Hundreds of taxi drivers and commercial transport operators across Delhi staged peaceful protests demanding an urgent review of the government's mandatory E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol policy. Led by the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association alongside the All India Motor Transport Congress, transport bodies gathered to voice mounting frustration over engine performance issues, reduced fuel mileage, and increased vehicle repair costs linked to high-ethanol fuel.

Transport operators pointed out that millions of vehicles on Indian roads, particularly models manufactured before 2015, were never designed to run on 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol. Union leaders highlighted that driver incomes are being severely hit because vehicles are giving less mileage per liter while requiring frequent engine servicing. Transporters questioned why vehicle owners paying full petrol prices are receiving blended fuel, calling on authorities to stop forcing E20 petrol as the only available choice at fuel pumps.

The transport bodies have demanded an independent scientific review of the national ethanol blending policy involving technical experts, vehicle owners, and car manufacturers. While the government maintains that ethanol blending reduces costly crude oil imports and supports domestic farmers, taxi unions insist that blended petrol should be optional rather than compulsory. Transporters urged the government to quickly restore pure unblended petrol options at filling stations to protect commercial vehicle owners from rising maintenance expenses.