Gadkari: E20 Cuts Mileage Slightly but Doesn’t Damage Vehicles, Petroleum Lobby Fuelling Fear

At the BT India@100 Summit, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari dismissed fears that 20% ethanol blending (E20) damages vehicles, calling it a petroleum lobby-driven campaign. He acknowledged E20 slightly reduces mileage but stressed its role in cutting India’s ₹22 lakh crore fuel import bill and pollution. Highlighting surplus crops like rice, wheat, and corn for ethanol production, he noted farmers’ incomes rising as corn prices more than doubled. Gadkari cited Brazil’s 100% ethanol use and ongoing trials for 27% blending in India. He also outlined ambitious highway construction targets and plans to boost domestic lithium mining.