Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Former NITI Aayog Official Warns Against DIY E10
E20 petrol contains more ethanol than older petrol blends.
Some drivers worry it may reduce mileage or affect older vehicles.
They are trying to make E10 at home by mixing fuels.
Randheer Singh says this mixture may not be consistent from one refill to another.
He also warns that online fuel additives may damage modern fuel and emission systems.
Drivers should first check their vehicle manual and the manufacturer’s advice.
Vehicles that sit unused should be kept reasonably full and have good fuel caps and seals.
A single bad tank does not necessarily mean ethanol caused damage.
If problems continue over several tanks, an authorised workshop should inspect the vehicle.
Motorists are mixing E20 with premium petrol to recreate lower-ethanol E10 fuel.
Randheer Singh says inconsistent home blending can produce varying ethanol concentrations.
He warns against unverified “E20 enhancer” additives in BS-VI fuel systems.
Vehicle owners should check labels, manuals and manufacturer guidance for compatibility.
Persistent symptoms across several tanks should be diagnosed at an authorised workshop.
- Who
- Randheer Singh, former Director of Electric Mobility and Clean Energy at NITI Aayog and founder and CEO of ForeSee Advisors, advised motorists.
- What
- He warned drivers not to make E10 at home by mixing fuels or use unverified fuel additives marketed as E20 enhancers.
- When
- The advice was published on August 29, 2026, following a bl.Conversations webinar.
- Where
- The guidance concerns petrol vehicles using fuel sold at pumps, and was given during a businessline webinar.
- Why
- Improvised fuel mixtures can vary in ethanol content, while unvalidated additives may create problems in BS-VI fuel and emission systems.
- Fuel under discussion
- E20 petrol, with motorists concerned about its effects on older petrol cars and two-wheelers.
- DIY workaround
- Some Instagram recipes suggest mixing E20 with 100-octane petrol to move toward E10.
- Main risk of mixing
- Incorrect quantities or unknown fuel composition can create inconsistent ethanol concentrations.
- Additives
- D2C brands sell products described as E20 enhancers or ethanol cures, but Singh advises using only manufacturer-recommended or fuel-compatible additives.
- Storage advice
- For vehicles parked for extended periods, Singh recommends keeping the tank around 60 per cent or more full.
- Diagnosing problems
- Persistent mileage changes, misfires or other symptoms across several tanks should be checked at an authorised workshop.