India's ethanol program is lauded for achieving blending targets, reducing crude imports, and boosting farmer incomes, contributing to energy security. However, the article critically examines its downsides. Ethanol offers less energy, reducing vehicle mileage for consumers who pay similar or higher prices. More significantly, the shift from sugarcane to maize diverts land from food crops like pulses and oilseeds, driving up food prices and increasing imports. This creates agricultural distortions, stresses ecosystems, and limits consumer choice. The author advocates for a diversified approach to clean mobility, embracing various sustainable solutions beyond ethanol, and prioritizing consumer welfare.