?Low mileage, high costs’: E20 woes take centrestage as Arvind Kejriwal parades those affected

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has raised concerns over the impact of E20 fuel on motorcycles, citing cases from Goa and Uttar Pradesh. In a town hall meeting in Goa, Kejriwal said that since the introduction of E20 fuel, many motorcycle owners have been facing issues with throttle body performance.

'We are seeing a lot of issues in this component [throttle body] since the transition to E20 petrol. It seems to impact the injectors and rubber O-rings inside. and leads to accumulation of a white powder,' he stated.

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Motorcycle Owners Affected Arif Ahmed, a mechanical engineer who runs a superbike workshop in Benaulim, said that since the introduction of E20 fuel, many of his customers' motorcycles have been facing issues with this particular component.'We are seeing a lot of issues in this component since the transition to E20 petrol. It seems to impact the injectors and rubber O-rings inside. and leads to accumulation of a white powder,' he said.AAP Convenor's Concerns Over Sugarcane Diversion

The AAP convenor also raised concerns over the alleged diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production, stating that this has created a shortage of sugar for Indians and increased dependence on imports.

'The price of sugar has increased,' Kejriwal said. 'This is affecting many people, especially those who depend on sugarcane for their livelihood.'

The AAP convenor also cited cases from Uttar Pradesh, where motorcycle owners have reported a decrease in mileage due to E20 fuel.

Impact on Motorcycles and Vehicle Mileage

'The average [mileage] of my motorcycle has come down from 60 km per litre to 45-50 km per litre in the last few months,' said Munir Chauhan, a food delivery agent from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh.

The AAP convenor has called for action to address these issues and to ensure that motorcycles are not negatively impacted

'We need to take steps to ensure that our motorcycles are compatible with E20 fuel,' Kejriwal said. 'This will help to prevent any further damage to the throttle body and other components.'

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Arif Ahmed stepped on the dais, holding a “throttle body” — a component of a motorcycle's engine that, he explained, is crucial for optimal performance. Speaking at the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) town hall in Goa against the Centre's E20 ethanol-blending policy on Tuesday, Ahmed, a mechanical engineer who runs a superbike workshop in Benaulim, asserted that since the introduction of E20 fuel, many of his customers' motorcycles have been facing issues with this particular component.

“We are seeing a lot of issues in this component [throttle body] since the transition to E20 petrol. It seems to impact the injectors and rubber O-rings inside. and leads to accumulation of a white powder,” he stated.

“In Goa, many people work on cruises and are away for six months. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated Goa is among the states most affected “About 87% of families own a two-wheeler and over 47% own a four-wheeler in Goa - much higher than the national average,” Kejriwal stated.

He stated based on testimonies of people from across the country, the mileage of vehicles seems to have reduced 'They cannot speak openly' Kejriwal stated he had written to 29 automobile manufacturers seeking clarity on the E20 compliance of vehicles manufactured before 2023. He stated authorities from nine companies responded, claiming “off the record” that E20 could be dangerous for vehicles that are not compatible with the fuel.

“They cannot speak openly. If they do, they will face raids from ED, CBI, Income Tax.,” he stated. The former Delhi Chief Minister stated a study Munir Chauhan, a food delivery agent from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, stated he had taken the day off work to attend the town hall.

“The average [mileage] of my motorcycle has come down from 60 km per litre to 45-50 km per litre in the last few months. I have to work 13-14 hours a day, since a part of my savings now goes towards fuel expenses due to the reduced mileage caused The motorcycle also moves haltingly now,” he added.

Cedric Lobo, a civil engineer, cited the example of a relative, who commutes to work and to drop her children to school daily. “Her fuel cost has gone up to Rs 6,000 from Rs 4,500-5,000 earlier. So, there has definitely been a reduction in the mileage,” he added.

Kejriwal also raised concerns over the alleged diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production, stating that this has created a shortage of sugar for Indians and increased dependence on imports, which, he stated, could put pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. “The price of sugar has increased