India's Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has called for the reintroduction of E10 petrol, a blend with 10% ethanol, alongside the current E20 standard. This move aims to address public concerns about potential damage to older vehicles and protect the existing fleet while the country works on a retrofit program.
The proposal highlights a potential shift in India's energy policy, balancing environmental goals with the practical concerns of its vast vehicle fleet and the economic implications for consumers and the automotive industry.
India's Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has advocated for the reintroduction of E10 petrol, a fuel blend containing 10% ethanol, to be offered alongside the current E20 standard. This suggestion comes amid growing public concern that the nationwide E20 fuel mandate, implemented in April, could potentially damage the country's extensive fleet of older vehicles and two-wheelers.
Nageswaran, the first senior government official to publicly call for multiple fuel options, argued in an opinion piece that offering E10 would alleviate public apprehension, manage overall ethanol consumption, and safeguard existing vehicles while a retrofit program is developed. India introduced the E20 blend as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategy to decrease reliance on crude oil imports and mitigate pollution.
However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had previously stated that maintaining multiple gasoline grades would present significant operational and logistical challenges. Indian Oil Corporation, a major state-owned refiner, recently affirmed its support for E20, citing its role in reducing crude dependence and bolstering the agricultural economy.