Explainer | What is the E20 fuel controversy in India all about?

India has started rolling out E20 fuel—petrol blended with 20% ethanol—but that hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy, so much so that the Supreme Court is going to hear a public interest litigation in the matter on Monday. Here’s what it means for your car, mileage, fuel prices, and why the policy is facing controversy.

What is E20 fuel?
The idea behind E20 fuel—a mix of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol—is to cut oil imports, reduce carbon emissions, and support sugarcane farmers who are providing the ethanol for the blend.