From BS6 to E20—India learnt the wrong lessons. Here’s how to course correct

It’s been a month since India’s nationwide shift to E20 petrol—20% ethanol-blended petrol. Vehicle owners have come forward to complain about falling mileage, damage to their vehicles, voided warranties, and the absence of insurance coverage.

The change has sparked outrage, and nothing is being done to placate the country’s many millions of angry drivers.

India’s move to E20 fuel took place much faster than originally planned. This pace may have been inspired by a previous success, when the government had to address worsening air pollution in the 2010s. 

At the time, regulators were able to skip a step to implement more stringent vehicle emissions standards. Even though there was some opposition from automakers, the change was largely unchallenged, and the public was onboard.

The context is different this time around, and the confidence exuded by the government is misplaced. 

The Ken’s Suprita Anupam explains in this edition of Make India Competitive Again, as read by Brady Ng.

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