4 days ago
Former NITI Official Says India’s E20-Only Rollout Came Early
India is now making petrol with 20% ethanol, called E20, available across the country.
Randheer Singh, a former NITI Aayog official, said this change happened too quickly.
Many older cars and scooters were made before E20 became common.
He said most drivers should not panic or sell a working vehicle cheaply.
Older vehicles may use slightly more petrol with E20.
Bringing back E10 petrol would require separate storage, transport, and pump systems.
When people eventually replace their vehicles, they can choose an E20-ready petrol vehicle or an electric vehicle.
Singh also said battery-sharing plans could make electric vehicles less expensive to buy.
Randheer Singh said making E20 the only regular petrol blend nationwide was premature.
About 12 crore of India’s estimated 19 crore petrol vehicles predate widespread E20-compliant models.
Singh said E10 is unlikely to return soon because separate fuel-supply infrastructure would be difficult to maintain.
He estimated mileage losses of 1–2% for E20-optimised vehicles and 5–6% for compatible but non-optimised models.
Singh advised owners not to distress-sell functioning vehicles and said buyers should consider E20-ready petrol cars or EVs based on usage.
- Who
- Randheer Singh, former Director of Electric Mobility and Clean Energy at NITI Aayog and Founder & CEO of ForeSee Advisors.
- What
- He argued that India’s nationwide E20-only petrol rollout was premature and advised owners not to panic-sell older vehicles.
- Where
- India; the remarks were made during an online businessline Conversations webinar.
- When
- The comments were published on August 29, 2026, during a businessline Conversations webinar.
- Why
- The rollout has affected older vehicles that may not be optimised for E20, while returning to E10 would require separate supply infrastructure.
Key facts
- Ethanol target
- India reached 20% ethanol blending five years ahead of its original 2030 target.
- Petrol vehicles
- An estimated 19 crore petrol vehicles are on India’s roads.
- Older vehicles
- Nearly 12 crore petrol vehicles were bought before E20-compliant models became the norm.
- Older two-wheelers
- An estimated 7.5–8 crore older two-wheelers may be affected by the transition.
- Estimated mileage loss
- Singh estimated 1–2% for E20-optimised vehicles and about 5–6% for compatible but non-optimised models.
- Electric-vehicle battery cost
- Batteries account for roughly 30–35% of an electric vehicle’s cost, according to Singh.
- E10 availability
- Singh said E10 is unlikely to be available alongside E20 anytime soon.
Quotes
Randheer Singh
Former Director of Electric Mobility and Clean Energy at NITI Aayog and Founder & CEO of ForeSee Advisors
“I think it is too early for all pumps to have only E20. This decision to have only E20 available at all the bunks is a bit premature”
thehindubusinessline.com
“I don’t think we will see E10 next to E20 anytime soon”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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