The Indian government is responding to public concerns about ethanol‑blended fuels as it prepares to increase the ethanol content in petrol from 20 percent (E20) to 25 percent (E25). It has taken steps that include summoning automobile manufacturers and issuing official clarifications.

Accounts differ on the government’s actions. One report states that the Centre summoned six automobile manufacturing companies on July 3 and asked them to hold press conferences to tell the public that E20 fuel is fine and will cause no damage to vehicles (reported by *The Hindu*). Another report says the Centre issued a 10‑point clarification rejecting misinformation about India’s E20 ethanol blending programme (reported by *Telangana Today*).

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said automobile manufacturers report no issues with the current ethanol blends (reported by *Times of India*). The government is addressing concerns as preparation for E25 begins (reported by *Times of India*). Tests for E25 fuel are ongoing (reported by *Times of India*), and stakeholder consultations will follow the tests (reported by *Times of India*).

Minister Nitin Gadkari is advocating for hydrogen‑powered vehicles and their future use (reported by *Times of India*). Hydrogen trucks and buses are being introduced, with pilot projects underway for public transport (reported by *Times of India*).

According to *Telangana Today*, scientific studies support the fuel’s safety, efficiency and environmental benefits, and the programme, under which petrol contains up to 20 percent ethanol, is supported by scientific studies, international experience and regulatory safeguards. The ministry rejected a claim that producing one litre of ethanol consumes 10,000 litres of water, stating that only surplus rice, cleared after meeting national food security, is used (reported by *Telangana Today*).