The Indian government is pushing a 20% ethanol‑blended fuel, E20 petrol, as a national strategy to curb crude oil imports, lower emissions, and boost sugarcane farmers. Yet a fresh C‑Voter survey reveals widespread resistance, especially among supporters of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Survey Highlights

According to the poll, 52.5% of NDA voters said they would not use E20 in their vehicles, while only 18.1% expressed support. Opposition is even stronger among rival party backers, with 57.9% rejecting the blend. Overall, 55.1% of respondents indicated they would avoid E20 altogether.

Primary Concerns: Mileage and Engine Health

The leading reasons for rejection revolve around performance. A solid 52.8% believe E20 will reduce mileage, a sentiment echoed across both NDA and opposition camps. Moreover, 54.2% fear that ethanol‑mixed fuel could damage engines, particularly older models that were designed for lower‑ethanol blends such as E10.

Older Vehicle Owners Feel Underserved

More than half (56.3%) think mandating E20 would be unfair to owners of older cars. This perception is shared by 49.2% of NDA supporters and 65.8% of opposition supporters, highlighting a socio‑economic dimension to the policy debate.

Choice and Pricing Preferences

Despite the resistance, 75.9% of respondents demand a dual‑market approach—both ethanol‑blended and pure petrol should remain available. Additionally, 74.5% argue that E20 should be priced lower than regular petrol. Yet only 40.8% say a lower price would sway them to adopt the blend, indicating price alone cannot rebuild trust.

Implications for Policy Makers

While 37.2% fully agree that E20 will reduce imports, 17.1% completely disagree, underscoring a split perception of the policy’s benefits. To move forward, the government must pair its economic objectives with transparent performance data and consumer‑friendly options to secure public confidence.