The Great Ethanol Divide
SHILLONG/NEW DELHI, July 4: Automotive giants Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have launched a high-decibel campaign to reassure India that E20 ethanol-blended petrol is safe for older engines, but in the steep, rain-soaked streets of Shillong, that “reassurance” is being met with stalled engines, fouled spark plugs, and a 20 per cent hit to the pockets of local motorists.
The push for 20 per cent ethanol-blended fuel, framed by New Delhi as a milestone for energy security and decarbonisation, has created a sharp divide between corporate optimism and the practicalities of Northeast topography. While industry executives cite “rigorous scientific testing,” local taxi drivers navigating the gradients of the Khasi Hills report a 15 to 20 per cent drop in mileage and frequent stalling on the climb toward Upper Shillong.
At a recent press conference in New Delhi, Maruti Suzuki Senior Executive Officer Rahul Bharti dismissed concerns regarding vehicles manufactured before 2023. He noted that the company serviced over 2.5 crore vehicles in the last fiscal year—including 1.5 crore older models—without observing E20-related failures. Similarly, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Vikram Gulati claimed there have been no ethanol-related complaints at their dealerships.
However, these corporate figures often bypass the ground reality in Meghalaya.
Most owners of older vehicles in Shillong frequent local workshops in Mawlai and Demseiniong rather than authorised service centres. Mechanics in these areas report a spike in fouled spark plugs and clogged fuel filters, suggesting that ethanol—which absorbs moisture more readily—is ill-suited for the humid, high-altitude environment of the Khasi Hills.
The economic impact is becoming a survival issue for the city’s commercial drivers. “What New Delhi calls a marginal impact on performance is a direct hit to our daily earnings,” said one taxi driver at the Assembly stand. “The cars struggle on slopes they used to climb easily.”
The government’s stance remains one of cautious denial. Meghalaya Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar recently stated there have been “no official complaints” and urged the public to lodge formal grievances. While the Minister maintained that E20 is being used on a “trial basis,” petrol pump owners in the city confirmed the blend has been the standard supply for nearly a year.
As the Centre continues to promote ethanol to reduce crude oil imports, the disconnect remains: scientific data from New Delhi is failing to account for the mechanical and financial toll on hill-terrain motorists. For Shillong’s drivers, the “green fuel” agenda currently translates to higher consumption and mounting repair bills, leaving a policy-driven trust deficit that remains unaddressed. (With agency inputs)
