India Should Consider E10 Petrol Alongside E20 To Address Vehicle Concerns: CEA Nageswaran

New Delhi, Aug 17 (KNN) India should consider reintroducing a lower-ethanol petrol variant alongside E20 to address concerns among vehicle owners while continuing the country's ethanol-blending programme, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said.

E20 petrol, containing 20 per cent ethanol, was rolled out last year and has been the only fuel available at petrol stations nationwide since April 1, as part of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to reduce oil imports and curb pollution, Reuters reported.

However, the move has triggered concerns over vehicle performance and potential damage to auto components, prompting many car owners to voice their concerns on social media and call for the availability of lower ethanol-blended fuel variants.

In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express on Monday, Nageswaran, along with Akash Poojari, a consultant in the Department of Economic Affairs, suggested making E10 petrol available alongside E20.

“Restoring a lower blend at the pumps, ​say, E10, alongside the option ‌to buy E20, would calm most public concern,” Nageswaran said.

The opinion piece represents a personal view of the authors and does not indicate a change in government policy.

The opinion piece follows a Reuters report that top automakers had privately raised concerns over E20 contamination, shortly before an industry lobby sent and later withdrew a letter of complaint to the government. 

While the piece said evidence does not support fears of engine damage, it flagged concerns over E20’s impact on older vehicles. 

It noted, “India has roughly ⁠75 to 80 million older two-wheelers ... older rubber seals that are not rated for ethanol are a ‌separate problem ... retrofitting those seals... that way will take years.”

India should “protect the existing fleet ​while the retrofit programme catches up,” it added.

The suggestion comes amid growing debate over the country's E20 policy. The government said last month that there was no proposal to reintroduce lower-ethanol petrol variants such as E0 or E10.

The opinion piece represents a personal view of the authors and does not indicate a change in government policy.

(KNN Bureau)