Key facts
- India's Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran suggested reintroducing E10 petrol.
- E10 petrol is a blend containing 10% ethanol.
- This proposal is intended to complement the existing E20 standard.
- The move aims to address public concerns about potential damage to older vehicles.
- The proposal seeks to protect the existing vehicle fleet.
- India is working on a retrofit program for vehicles.
- The retrofit program is for higher ethanol blends.
India's Chief Economic Adviser, V Anantha Nageswaran, has put forward a proposal to reintroduce E10 petrol, which is a blend containing 10% ethanol. This suggestion is intended to work alongside the country's current E20 standard, a blend with 20% ethanol. The primary motivation behind this proposal is to address public apprehension about the potential for higher ethanol blends to cause damage to older vehicles. By offering E10 as an option, the government aims to protect the existing fleet of vehicles that may not be compatible with the E20 standard. This measure is seen as a transitional step while India continues to develop and implement a comprehensive retrofit program. The retrofit program is designed to enable vehicles to safely and effectively use higher ethanol blends, aligning with India's broader goals for energy security and reduced carbon emissions. The reintroduction of E10 would provide a more immediate solution for vehicle owners concerned about the longevity and maintenance of their current cars and motorcycles, ensuring that the transition to cleaner fuels does not disproportionately burden consumers or damage existing infrastructure.