A controversy surrounding E20 petrol has taken a legal turn after Toyota Kirloskar Motor filed an FIR against YouTuber Manish Kashyap over a viral video in which he claimed that E20 fuel had damaged his Toyota vehicle and drastically reduced its mileage. The company alleges that the claims made in the video were misleading and harmed its reputation.
The dispute began when Manish Kashyap uploaded a video alleging that his recently purchased Toyota Innova HyCross, which is compatible with E20 fuel, developed engine problems and its fuel efficiency dropped sharply after being filled with E20 petrol. The video quickly went viral on social media, leading to widespread debate over the safety of ethanol-blended fuel.
Following the allegations, Toyota requested that the vehicle be brought to an authorised service centre for a detailed technical inspection. According to the company, the vehicle owner initially did not provide the car for examination, but it was later inspected after further communication.
The company's technical investigation concluded that the vehicle's problem was not caused by E20 petrol. Instead, engineers found water contamination in the fuel tank, which they identified as the primary reason for the engine malfunction. Toyota stated that there was no evidence linking the damage to E20 fuel, and that the model is fully designed and certified to operate with E20 petrol.
After the inspection, Toyota lodged an FIR, alleging that the viral video spread false and misleading information that damaged the company's image and created unnecessary concern among vehicle owners. The company has maintained that its E20-compatible vehicles undergo extensive testing before being introduced to the market.
The controversy also prompted a response from Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said the technical findings showed that water mixed with the fuel, rather than E20 petrol, was responsible for the vehicle's condition. He rejected claims that E20 fuel had caused the mechanical failure.
Manish Kashyap has continued to question the government's ethanol-blending policy and has maintained his concerns regarding fuel quality and vehicle performance. In media interactions, he has disputed aspects of the controversy and defended his decision to raise the issue publicly.
The case has reignited discussion about E20 fuel, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The fuel has been introduced as part of India's strategy to reduce crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions and support domestic ethanol production. Automobile manufacturers have repeatedly stated that vehicles certified as E20-compatible are engineered to safely use the fuel under normal operating conditions.
Automotive experts note that problems such as water contamination, poor fuel quality, mechanical faults or inadequate maintenance can affect engine performance and fuel economy, regardless of whether E20 fuel is being used. They advise vehicle owners to rely on authorised technical inspections before attributing mechanical issues to a specific type of fuel.
The FIR has brought the dispute into the legal arena, and any further action will depend on the outcome of the investigation. Meanwhile, the incident has highlighted the importance of verifying technical claims with expert examination before drawing conclusions that could influence public opinion.