E20 Debate Deepens: Internal Emails Reveal Carmakers' Hidden Fuel Quality Concerns
What Happened
Internal emails reviewed by Reuters show that major Indian automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra, privately discussed concerns about contamination in E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) days before the auto industry's main lobby, SIAM, withdrew its warning to the government on the issue. The emails reportedly reveal worries about high chloride and moisture levels in E20 fuel, which automakers said could harm vehicles. Industry testing collected more than 250 fuel samples across 21 states and territories, finding elevated contamination levels in many locations.
Key Takeaways
SIAM publicly withdrew its July 28 communication, saying some figures required further authentication.