‘Paid Campaign Against Me’: Nitin Gadkari Hits Out at ‘Rich Petrol Lobby’ Over E20 Fuel Backlash

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on what he described as a “rich petrol lobby,” accusing it of orchestrating a paid social media campaign to derail the government’s push for ethanol-blended fuel. Speaking at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gadkari dismissed the growing public concerns over E20 petrol as a manufactured controversy driven by vested interests.

“Everywhere there are lobbies, there are interests… petrol lobby is very rich,” Gadkari declared, directly addressing the backlash. He asserted that the social media campaign against the fuel was baseless and motivated by powerful players in the petroleum sector. “The social media campaign was a paid campaign against me. The Supreme Court has also dismissed the petition. There was no fact,” he added, defending the government’s policy.

The controversy surrounds the nationwide rollout of E20—petrol blended with 20% ethanol—which began in April 2025, replacing the earlier E10 blend. The move has sparked a debate among consumers and experts, many of whom have raised concerns about potential negative impacts on vehicle efficiency and engine longevity. Critics point out that ethanol has a lower energy density than petrol, which could lead to a mileage drop of 2–5%. There are also fears that older vehicles not designed for E20 could suffer damage to rubber hoses and fuel pipes over time.

However, the government has pushed back against these claims. The oil ministry previously stated that any efficiency loss would be “marginal,” estimated at 1–2% for compliant four-wheelers and 3–6% for others, dismissing more drastic claims as exaggerated. Gadkari defended the ethanol program as a crucial pillar of India’s strategy to achieve energy self-reliance and reduce its staggering ₹22 lakh crore import bill for crude oil.

“Is it not appropriate that we have to make in India with our own strength? We can stand on our own strength,” he argued. The minister also highlighted the program’s benefits for farmers, who supply the sugarcane and grains used to produce ethanol. He further stressed the need to diversify India’s fuel sources, mentioning hydrogen, electric vehicles, and methanol as other key alternatives being explored.