Row E20: Supreme Court to hear case over ethanol labels on petrol pumps on August 31 | Today’s news
The Supreme Court is expected to hear a petition on August 31 seeking directions to the Center and other authorities to make labeling of ethanol content mandatory and uniform for all petrol dispensers.
The cause of action required disclosure of the exact percentage of ethanol blended into the gasoline at each gas station. The matter is brought up before Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale, according to the apex court docket for August 31.
Plea requires ethanol percentage on fuel invoices
The petition, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, also sought a direction to require petrol stations to clearly mention the ethanol content of the petrol sold on every fuel invoice.
The petitioner further asked the authorities to create a publicly accessible database detailing the compatibility of vehicles with different ethanol blends.
“Order respondents (the Center and others) to prepare and publish, within a specified period, an official, public database of vehicle compatibility, searchable by make, model, engine type and year of manufacture, indicating the suitability or unsuitability of various ethanol blends for each vehicle,” the suit reads.
The petition asks a panel of experts to assess the impact of E20
The petition also called for an independent expert committee to assess the real-world compatibility of E20 petrol within India’s existing vehicle fleet.
It suggested that the panel should include representatives from the ministries of petroleum and natural gas, road transport and highways, the Bureau of Indian Standards, as well as independent automotive engineers and other experts.
The committee was asked to review the findings and make them available through a public report.
Panel examining mileage, engine life and environmental impact
The proposed committee would also assess how E20 affects vehicle fuel efficiency, engine life and maintenance costs. He was also asked to examine the potential implications for vehicle warranties and insurance.
The plea further sought an assessment of E20’s overall environmental impact, including tailpipe emissions and the amount of water used in ethanol production.
He also raised concerns about food security and the diversion of agricultural production to animal feed and ethanol production in connection with the ethanol blending program there.
“Direct the respondents to develop a national consumer information disclosure protocol for all ethanol-blended petrol in consultation with the Central Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Bureau of Indian Standards,” it said.
It also sought directions to the concerned authorities to submit to the apex court all policy documents, technical studies, compatibility reports, safety standards, consumer advisories and records of public consultations that support the mandatory introduction of E20.
The cause of action called on the authorities to develop and publish a transparent transition framework for older and non-compliant vehicles within a specified period, including consideration of the designated availability of lower ethanol gasoline whenever technically, economically and logistically feasible, together with a reasoned decision supported by expert material and public consultation.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
