E20 fuel debate: CEA Nageswaran dismisses concerns over engine damage, backs option of making E10 petrol available

In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, India's Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Nageswaran has dismissed concerns over engine damage caused by the recently introduced E20 petrol blend and advocated for a return to lower ethanol blends like E10. The move comes after the central government rolled out E20 as the sole fuel option to reduce oil imports and curb pollution.

However, many car owners have expressed their grievances on social media about potential engine damage and lower mileage. Nageswaran addressed these concerns, stating that there is no evidence to support claims that E20 damages engines. He explained that while ethanol contains less energy than petrol, the energy reduction is only around 6-7%, not 30% as claimed on social media.

Tests conducted in the US and India have found no evidence of increased wear in vehicles running on ethanol blends of up to E20. However, Nageswaran acknowledged a genuine concern: India has approximately 75 to 80 million two-wheelers with carburettors that may experience running hotter due to insufficient fuel supply when using E20.

He suggested restoring a lower ethanol blend, such as E10, alongside the option to buy E20 to calm public concerns and lower total ethanol use. Other recommendations include correcting price and water-related distortions that favor maize over other crops and reconsidering import duties on edible oil to increase domestic self-sufficiency.

Nageswaran emphasized that the central question is not engine performance but the crops India chooses to grow and the consequences of those choices.