E10 petrol may make a comeback - but as a premium fuel: Report
The proposal comes amid persistent concerns among motorists about the impact of E20 petrol on older vehicles and fuel economy.
The Indian government is considering the possibility of selling premium petrol brands, such as XP95, SPEED, and Power95, with a 10% ethanol blend, according to a report by LiveMint. The proposal aims to provide an E10 option for older vehicles without the need for separate fuel infrastructure, as discussed with state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation.
The discussions are at an early stage, and no final decision has been made. The idea comes in response to concerns about the impact of E20 petrol on older vehicles and fuel economy. E20, containing 20% ethanol, is now the standard petrol blend in India. The proposal would allow owners of older vehicles to access a lower-ethanol fuel while using the existing infrastructure for premium petrol.
The government and OMCs are assessing consumer preferences between a premium E10 fuel and a cheaper regular E10 option. The move would avoid the logistical challenges of introducing a separate nationwide fuel stream for E10. Currently, premium 95-octane petrol, which is sold at a higher price, accounts for around 15% of OMC petrol sales, up from 4% in March.
Fuel dealers believe that using the existing premium-petrol infrastructure could make an E10 rollout relatively easy. However, consumer groups have called for wider choice, emphasizing the need for clearly labeled and widely available E10 fuel compatible with older vehicles.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
