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BPCL exploring E10 option alongside mandatory E20 petrol
The Indian Express··27 Aug
Bharat Petroleum is exploring offering E10 petrol alongside mandatory E20 fuel for older vehicles, chairman Sanjay Khanna said. Supply chain and logistics challenges around handling two petrol grades are still being worked out, he said. India achieved 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol last year, five years ahead of schedule. No final decision has been taken on offering E10 nationally.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Owners of vehicles bought before April 2023 may finally get a compatible fuel option instead of only E20.
- Two-wheeler owners with older engines could see reduced wear if E10 becomes available at pumps.
- Motorists should not expect an immediate rollout, since supply and logistics questions remain unresolved.
What's Happening
- The idea follows an August 18 opinion piece by Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran backing a lower-blend option.
- The government has said running two petrol grades nationally would create a major logistical challenge and raise costs.
- Only petrol vehicles made and sold after April 2023 are considered fully compatible with E20 fuel.
What The E20 Ethanol Debate Is About
- E20 fuel blends 80 percent petrol with 20 percent ethanol and became India's standard petrol variant last year.
- Critics say E20 reduces mileage and wears engine components in older vehicles not designed for higher ethanol blends.
- The government maintains mileage loss is limited to 3 to 5 percent and is outweighed by E20's benefits.
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