India's E20 Ethanol Gamble Sparks Backlash as Vehicle Failures and Protests Mount

India's ethanol-blended petrol (E20) programme is a fiscal and energy security masterstroke, with the Oil Ministry claiming it can save the nation roughly ₹38,000 crore annually by reducing crude oil imports by about $4 billion. The government's own data shows over 20 crore two-wheelers and 3 crore petrol cars have been running on E20 blends for years without verified widespread engine failure, and the initiative has saved foreign exchange exceeding ₹1.97 lakh crore...