New Delhi: A consumer court in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh has ruled in favour of a car owner in a landmark judgment concerning vehicular damage caused by E20 ethanol-blended petrol. The complainant alleged that the use of E20 petrol led to severe engine degradation, persistent misfiring, and a drastic drop in fuel mileage soon after he began refueling with the blended fuel. Despite making multiple visits to the authorized service station for extensive repairs, the structural issues persisted, saddling the consumer with mounting maintenance bills without offering any permanent relief.
The legal battle centered on whether E20 fuel blends are directly responsible for mechanical failures in passenger vehicles. Maruti Suzuki India Limited and its authorized dealership strongly contested the allegations, claiming that the specific car model was fully compatible with E20 fuel specifications. The dealer further argued that the operational defects stemmed from poor maintenance and routine wear and tear on the part of the owner. However, the complainant successfully demonstrated that the vehicle, which was purchased brand new in 2024, performed flawlessly until E20 petrol was introduced into the system, after which the technical complications immediately surfaced.
The complainant presented crucial technical evidence before the consumer forum showing an abnormal accumulation of the ethanol blend within the engine assembly. Investigations revealed that within days of undergoing thorough servicing at the workshop, a strange white, sticky residue formed inside the fuel tank, accelerating internal engine damage. Dismissing the manufacturer’s defense, the consumer court held the automobile company accountable for manufacturing and compatibility defects.
In its final verdict, the court directed Maruti Suzuki India Limited to provide the complainant with a brand new car of the exact same model, fully optimized for E20 petrol compatibility, within a strict 45-day deadline. The bench ruled that if the manufacturer fails to deliver the replacement vehicle within the stipulated timeframe, it must issue a full refund of the car’s purchase price, amounting to 20.50 lakh rupees. Additionally, the court ordered the company to pay 1 lakh rupees in compensation for the mental agony inflicted upon the consumer, alongside 10,000 rupees to cover the overall litigation expenses.
