India's Chief Economic Adviser Calls for Return of E10 Petrol

India's Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has called for E10 petrol to be available alongside the E20 fuel blend ^[1].

The proposal aims to protect older vehicles that may not be compatible with higher ethanol concentrations. While the government pushes for higher blends to reduce emissions and import costs, many vehicle owners fear that higher ethanol levels can degrade engine components over time ^[1].

E20 fuel consists of a blend containing 20% ethanol ^[1]. This higher concentration is part of a broader national strategy to increase the use of biofuels. However, the shift has sparked a debate regarding the longevity of internal combustion engines not specifically designed for such blends ^[1].

Nageswaran said E20 would not cause widespread engine damage but still backed the option of providing a lower-blend alternative ^[1]. He said that making E10 petrol, which contains 10% ethanol ^[2], available would address the concerns of those driving older models ^[2].

The availability of both blends would allow consumers to choose the fuel that best matches their vehicle's specifications. This approach seeks to balance the environmental goals of the ethanol blending program with the practical needs of the existing automotive fleet ^[1].

By offering E10, the government could mitigate the risk of premature engine wear in legacy vehicles. This flexibility may reduce public resistance to the transition toward greener fuels while maintaining the momentum of the E20 rollout ^[1].