Over 52% of NDA voters don't support E20 petrol rollout: C-Voter survey

More than half of NDA supporters do not want to use E20 petrol despite backing the ruling alliance, according to a recently concluded C-Voter survey, exposing a gap between the Centre's ethanol blending policy and public acceptance.

The survey found that 52.5 per cent of NDA voters said they would not prefer using E20 petrol in their vehicles, while only 18.1 per cent said they would. Another 29.5 per cent remained undecided.

The resistance was even stronger among Opposition supporters, with 57.9 per cent saying they would not opt for E20 petrol. Among voters aligned with other political parties, 55 per cent also rejected the fuel. Overall, 55.1 per cent of respondents said they would not prefer using E20 petrol, while just 17.1 per cent supported it.

SUPPORT FOR POLICY REMAINS LIMITED

The survey also found limited backing for the government's ethanol blending policy itself.

Across all respondents, 52 per cent said they do not support the policy of blending ethanol with petrol, compared with 22 per cent who support it. Among NDA voters, 48.2 per cent opposed the policy, while 24.4 per cent backed it. Another 27.4 per cent were undecided.

MILEAGE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE WORRIES

Concerns over vehicle performance continue to shape public opinion.

According to the survey, 52.8 per cent of respondents believe E20 petrol reduces vehicle mileage. Among NDA voters, 51.2 per cent shared the same concern, while the figure rose to 55.4 per cent among Opposition voters.

Apprehensions over vehicle damage were equally significant. A majority of respondents, 54.2 per cent, believed ethanol-blended petrol damages most vehicles. The figure stood at 49.9 per cent among NDA supporters and 60.2 per cent among Opposition voters.

Another 14.3 per cent believed E20 damages only certain vehicles, while only 10.9 per cent said it does not damage vehicles.

OLDER VEHICLE OWNERS SEE ROLLOUT AS UNFAIR

More than half of respondents also felt making E20 petrol mandatory would be unfair to owners of older vehicles.

Overall, 56.3 per cent agreed with that view, including 49.2 per cent of NDA voters and 65.8 per cent of Opposition supporters.

PEOPLE WANT A CHOICE

While opposition to E20 remained widespread, respondents overwhelmingly favoured giving consumers the option to choose between ethanol-blended and regular petrol.

The survey found 75.9 per cent of respondents wanted both fuels to remain available. Support for consumer choice remained high across political affiliations, including 72.4 per cent among NDA voters.

There was also broad agreement that ethanol-blended petrol should cost less than regular fuel. Overall, 74.5 per cent supported lower pricing for E20, including 75.6 per cent of NDA voters.

Even then, cheaper prices did not guarantee acceptance. Only 40.8 per cent said they would switch to E20 if it were sold at a lower price, while 40.4 per cent still said they would not.

PUBLIC DIVIDED ON GOVERNMENT'S CLAIMS

The survey also tested public opinion on the Centre's argument that ethanol blending will reduce India's crude oil imports.

Overall, 37.2 per cent strongly agreed with the claim and another 19.5 per cent somewhat agreed. However, 17.1 per cent strongly disagreed, while 14.1 per cent somewhat disagreed.

When asked what they believed was the main reason behind the government's push for E20 petrol, 27.5 per cent chose reducing crude oil imports, 21.3 per cent said supporting sugarcane farmers, and 11 per cent believed the primary objective was reducing pollution.

- Ends