File photo: Ex-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
NEW DELHI: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday alleged that Centre was pressuring automobile manufacturers to remain silent on the impact of E20 petrol on vehicles manufactured before 2023, a charge rejected by Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, who challenged him to produce evidence of vehicles damaged due to ethanol-blended fuel.Addressing a news conference, Kejriwal said he had written to 29 companies manufacturing two-wheelers and four-wheelers asking whether E20 petrol could be safely used in vehicles manufactured before 2023, and whether they would compensate consumers if such vehicles suffered damage or lower fuel efficiency.
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He claimed none of the companies responded in writing, but officials from nine companies spoke to him on the phone. Quoting those officials, Kejriwal alleged that using E20 in vehicles manufactured before 2023 could damage the engine and fuel system and reduce fuel efficiency.He further alleged that Centre had warned automobile companies against making such claims publicly, saying their plants could face action by agencies such as ED, CBI and income tax department.He claimed that companies were being pressured to certify that E20 petrol was safe, but Nitin Gadkari and Arvind Kejriwal were reluctant to do so as consumers could seek compensation or replacement of vehicles if damaged, and that Centre’s decision to impose E20 petrol would turn nearly 30 crore pre-2023 vehicles into scrap.Hitting back, Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra said “I again challenge Arvind Kejriwal…to publicly bring forward 100 vehicles with mechanic certification that the vehicle has been damaged due to ethanol mixed petrol.”
