New Delhi, July 5 -- Just over a year after India achieved nationwide availability of E20 petrol in April 2025-meeting its target of 20% ethanol blending six years ahead of the original 2030 deadline-public opinion on the implementation of the programme has turned increasingly critical.

A survey conducted by LocalCircles found that 53% of petrol vehicle owners described the Road Transport and Petroleum Ministries' handling of the E20 rollout as either "disastrous" or "ineffective", with 42% calling it outright "disastrous". By comparison, only 13% of respondents gave the government's handling a positive rating.

The survey also revealed widespread concerns over fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Around 66% of respondents said their...