Maruti Suzuki in India has said it will challenge a consumer court order that directed the company to replace a vehicle over alleged damage linked to ethanol-blended fuel.
The dispute involves a vehicle certified as compatible with E20 fuel, a blend containing 20% ethanol mixed with petrol.
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A consumer court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh state, ruled that the carmaker must supply the customer with a new E20-compatible vehicle after the buyer reported recurring engine faults.
Maruti Suzuki, cited in the Bloomberg report, said it would “take necessary steps to challenge the impugned order before appropriate higher forum in accordance with law”.
The company further stated: “There is evidence of contamination in the fuel collected from the customer’s vehicle. Several other relevant facts have also not been reflected in the order.”
The ruling comes amid a wave of social media complaints alleging that E20 fuel has led to lower fuel efficiency, higher maintenance bills and engine corrosion.
Ethanol blending has been a flagship initiative under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
India hit its 20% blending target in 2025, five years ahead of the original schedule, and is now considering whether to raise the mandate further.
The E20 programme aims to cut oil imports, reduce emissions and increase income for farmers by channelling sugarcane and surplus grain into ethanol production.
According to GlobalData, the parent company of Just Auto, the initiative faces obstacles including limited supply, food security concerns, water consumption and the need for further investment.
Critics have pointed to risks for food crops and inconsistent rollout across regions.
GlobalData notes that realising the scheme’s environmental and economic benefits on a sustainable basis will depend on stronger supply chains, upgraded technology and close regulatory monitoring.
Separately, energy disruptions linked to the US-Iran war have pushed other countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam, to consider comparable ethanol-blending measures.
Vehicle manufacturers and government officials have rejected the criticism directed at E20, maintaining that the fuel blend was subject to extensive testing ahead of its nationwide launch.
Last month, Maruti Suzuki India introduced the Wagon R FFV, described as the first Suzuki model engineered to operate on any blend of ethanol and petrol.
The vehicle is intended to reduce particulate matter emissions and improve local air quality.
The launch formed part of a broader powertrain diversification strategy at Suzuki covering hybrids, battery electric vehicles, compressed natural gas, compressed biogas, and flex-fuel technology.
