Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused the Centre of “forcibly imposing” E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol, across the country despite opposition from vehicle owners. He alleged that the government had put pressure on automobile manufacturers to publicly endorse the safety of ethanol-blended fuel.Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed that on July 3, the Centre asked six leading automobile manufacturers — Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar, Hero MotoCorp, Hyundai Motor, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company — to participate in a press conference and declare that E20 petrol was safe for vehicles.He pointed out that Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp stated at the event that E20 petrol was safe even for older vehicles and would result in only a five to seven per cent drop in fuel efficiency. However, Toyota’s official owner manual only permits the use of E10 fuel, which contains up to 10 per cent ethanol, said the AAP leader.He further alleged that the manual advises customers to switch back to E0 (ethanol-free) petrol if even E10 fuel causes any decline in vehicle performance or fuel efficiency. “When the companies’ own official documents prescribe a maximum limit of E10, how can they publicly claim that E20 is completely safe,” Kejriwal asked.The former Delhi Chief Minister alleged that promoting E20 as safe from a government platform, despite owner manuals cautioning against fuel with more than 10 per cent ethanol, amounted to misleading consumers.Kejriwal further said that he would write to Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp, alleging that their public statements on E20 fuel were inconsistent with the guidance provided in their official owner manuals.He added that he would also seek assurance from automobile manufacturers that they would compensate vehicle owners if the use of E20 reduces mileage or damages engines and other parts.Kejriwal added that he would also write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week, asking whether the government or the companies would bear the cost of compensation if vehicles were damaged because of the ethanol policy forcefully imposed on all fuel stations of the country, and subsequently all petrol vehicles.The Centre has maintained that vehicles designed or certified as E20 compatible vehicles can safely run on fuel with up to 20 per cent blended ethanol. Several automobile manufacturers have also introduced E20 compliant models in line with the government’s ethanol-blending programme.Kejriwal said, “On February 6, 2023, E20 was introduced on a trial basis at 1,900 fuel stations. Three years later, on April 1, 2026, it was forcibly imposed at all 90,000 fuel stations across the country.”“There are 22 crore motorcycles and 8 crore cars in India that are not E20 compatible. Due to the government’s stubbornness, these 30 crore vehicles are now at risk that will eventually become scrap,” he added.