Give consumers option between 100 pc petrol and ethanol-blended petrol, Aaditya tells Centre

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday demanded that the Centre adopt a consumer friendly approach by giving them an option between 100 per cent petrol and ethanol-blended petrol.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray said there are growing concerns being expressed by lakhs of vehicle owners, especially the youth and the middle class, regarding the increasing blending of ethanol in petrol.

For most families, buying a two-wheeler or a car is not a luxury. It is the result of years of hard work, savings and, in many cases, long-term EMIs, he said.

People expect that the vehicle they purchase will deliver the performance and fuel efficiency promised by the manufacturer, Thackeray said.

However, many citizens are now claiming that with higher ethanol blending, their vehicles are giving lower mileage and poorer performance, Thackeray said.

A large number of vehicles currently on our roads were not originally designed for higher ethanol blends, he said, adding vehicle owners feel they are being made to bear the consequences without having any choice.

"I humbly request the Government of India to adopt a similar consumer-friendly approach by making both options available: 100 per cent petrol and ethanol-blended petrol for those who wish to use it," Thackeray said.

This will protect consumer choice, prevent inconvenience to millions of existing vehicle owners and build greater public confidence in the government's policies, he said.