45% of petrol vehicle owners would go to court over E20-related damage: Survey
Meanwhile:18% said they would seek compensation from both the vehicle manufacturer and the fuel company.9% would seek compensation only from the manufacturer.
This means 27% would first pursue compensation directly from manufacturers and/or fuel companies, while 14% said they would not pursue the matter and another 14% remained undecided.Concerns over wear and tear continue
The survey also highlights growing concerns among owners of older petrol vehicles amid India's transition to E20 fuel.
According to LocalCircles, 55% of owners of pre-2023 petrol vehicles reported an unusual increase in wear and tear or repair requirements since early 2025. The organisation also cited its earlier survey, which found that 66% of owners reported a fuel-efficiency drop of more than 10%.
The latest survey suggests that the recent consumer court ruling has strengthened owners' willingness to pursue legal remedies if they believe E20 fuel has damaged their vehicles.Raipur consumer court ruling
The LocalCircles survey follows the Raipur Consumer Commission's July 14 verdict involving a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara owner who alleged recurring engine problems, reduced performance, stalling and declining fuel efficiency after using E20 petrol.
The Commission directed Maruti Suzuki and its dealer to either replace the SUV or refund the vehicle's purchase price, registration charges and insurance premium—amounting to approximately Rs 20.5 lakh along with Rs 1 lakh towards compensation for mental agony.
Maruti Suzuki has maintained that the Grand Vitara complied with the applicable fuel compatibility norms at the time of manufacture and sale, and is expected to challenge the order before a higher forum.LocalCircles calls for policy review
Based on the survey findings, LocalCircles urged policymakers to revisit India's ethanol blending roadmap. The organisation suggested that alongside energy security and emission reduction goals, greater emphasis should be placed on fuel efficiency and vehicle longevity.
It also recommended making lower-ethanol petrol blends such as E0, E5 or E10 available alongside E20, allowing owners of older petrol vehicles to choose fuel that matches their vehicle's compatibility.Survey details
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