Possibility of offering E10 petrol alongside E20 being explored: BPCL chairman

BPCL chairman Sanjay Khanna is exploring the possibility of offering E10 petrol, alongside the current E20 petrol blend, for older vehicles, according to a report published by The Indian Express on August 20. E10 petrol is defined as 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, while E20 petrol consists of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol. Khanna, who chairs Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), the country's second-largest fuel retailer, said that discussions are ongoing regarding the supply chain and logistical challenges that selling two variants of petrol could pose.

No decision has been made yet, as these challenges are being debated and worked out. Khanna clarified that there is no proposal to replace the E20 blend with E10. This potential option is being pursued for older vehicles, which have engines not designed for higher ethanol blends. E20 has been the standard petrol blend in India since last year, a move that occurred five years ahead of the original deadline.

While the government has tried to allay fears related to the E20 fuel, such as a drop in mileage and engine component wear in older vehicles, these concerns have been raised by various quarters. Some have questioned why motorists aren't offered the choice of pure petrol, E10, and E20 fuels. The government had previously stated that offering multiple grades of base fuel across the country would create an enormous logistical challenge, raise costs, and reduce operational efficiencies.

Despite this, an opinion piece co-authored by Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran suggested that offering E10 alongside E20 could calm public concerns, lower total ethanol use, and protect the existing fleet while the retrofit program catches up.