E20 Petrol Debate: CEA V Anantha Nageswaran Backs E10 Option For Older Vehicles
India’s transition to E20 petrol has sparked a fresh debate over whether older vehicles should be given access to a lower ethanol blend. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has proposed allowing E10 petrol alongside E20, arguing that millions of older vehicles may not be suited to higher ethanol content. In an op-ed in The Indian Express with co-author Akash Poojari, Nageswaran said India…
The Indian government’s decision to transition to E20 petrol has reignited discussions about whether older vehicles should be permitted to use a lower ethanol blend, specifically E10. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has suggested allowing both E10 and E20 petrol blends, highlighting that millions of older vehicles may not be compatible with the higher ethanol content.
Nageswaran, along with co-author Akash Poojari, argued in an op-ed for The Indian Express that approximately 75-80 million two-wheelers in India are designed for E10, many of which were manufactured before higher ethanol blends became standard. His concerns extend beyond fuel efficiency, emphasizing that ethanol can impact parts like rubber seals and other components in older fuel systems, potentially causing compatibility issues with carburettor-based vehicles.
Nageswaran proposed that allowing E10 at fuel stations would provide an alternative for owners of older vehicles while newer cars continue to use E20. He suggested this dual-fuel approach could safeguard the existing vehicle fleet until owners either retrofit or replace their vehicles. However, Nageswaran also disputed claims that E20 reduces fuel efficiency by 30%, stating the actual energy penalty should be around 6-7%.
The ethanol programme in India aims to decrease reliance on imported crude oil and stimulate domestic ethanol production, which supports food security and agricultural demand. Yet, the CEA expressed concerns about the broader implications of increasing ethanol feedstock demand, including the well-known food versus fuel debate.
The ethanol industry, represented by Kushal Mittal of the All India Distillers Association, opposed the rollback of E20, urging the government to base policy decisions on scientific evidence rather than public sentiment. Mittal emphasized that E20 is crucial for India’s energy security and national interests, as it helps reduce fossil-fuel imports and supports the domestic biofuel industry.
The debate thus focuses more on smoothly managing India’s transition to higher ethanol blending rather than abandoning the ethanol program entirely.
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