Mileage dropping, fuel cost must come down too: taxi drivers protest over E20

What happened in Delhi: operators protest E20 rollout

Taxi and transport operators protested the rollout of E20 fuel in the national capital. E20 means petrol blended with 20% ethanol. Operators argued that switching to E20 would reduce mileage, increase maintenance costs, and harm older vehicles used for taxi and transport services.

The protesting body described itself as Delhi’s largest body representing app-based vehicles, taxis, buses, and autos. The association planned a march to Jantar Mantar, but police denied permission, so the march was aborted. The association later attempted a march towards Rajghat; police presence led to calling off the march.

The association president stated that the association submitted a detailed representation to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari seeking a review of the E20 fuel policy.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s parliamentary statement, as cited in the dispute, said E20 could reduce fuel economy by 2% to 6%. The operators’ association claimed older vehicles could face mileage losses up to 20%, raising fuel costs and squeezing margins for operators who already report thin profits.

Operators described a “double blow” from falling fuel efficiency and rising maintenance costs. Operators reported reduced kilometres-per-litre and said taxi fares could not be raised due to competition. Operators further claimed worsening vehicle performance for vehicles designed for petrol—engine behaviour and acceleration—leading to customer dissatisfaction (including tourists) and prompting some operators to discontinue services.