6 days ago
E10 Petrol May Return Through Premium Fuel Amid E20 Concerns
The government is thinking about bringing back petrol with less ethanol.
This fuel, called E10, has 10% ethanol, while regular E20 petrol has 20%.
Some people with older cars worry that E20 could reduce mileage or affect their vehicles.
Many of them are buying more expensive high-octane petrol instead.
The government is considering selling brands such as XP95, Speed and Power95 as E10.
This could use fuel equipment that already exists at petrol stations.
Officials are also deciding whether E10 should be cheaper regular petrol or more expensive premium petrol.
The government says E20 has passed safety tests and can reduce carbon emissions.
No final decision has been made yet.
The Centre is considering offering branded fuels such as XP95, Speed and Power95 in an E10 formulation.
The Union Petroleum Ministry is discussing the proposal with Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum.
The option could use existing premium-fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure instead of requiring separate E10 systems.
Consumers have raised concerns about E20’s effects on older vehicles and mileage, although the government says E20 meets safety standards.
The discussions are at an early stage, with no final decision on whether E10 would be regular or premium petrol.
- Who
- The Centre, the Union Petroleum Ministry, state-run oil marketing companies, vehicle owners and fuel retailers are involved.
- What
- The government is exploring whether branded premium fuels can be sold in an E10 formulation.
- Where
- The proposal concerns fuel sales across India, with discussions involving the Union government and state-run oil companies.
- When
- The discussions are currently at an initial stage; no final decision has been taken.
- Why
- The proposal aims to offer a lower-ethanol option for consumers, particularly owners of older petrol vehicles, while avoiding separate E10 infrastructure.
E10 Proponents
Government Caution
Need for a lower-ethanol option
E10 Proponents
Consumer groups, sources and fuel retailers say E10 could better address concerns among owners of older vehicles and those worried about mileage.
Government Caution
The government and oil companies maintain that E20 meets quality and safety standards, and officials say tests have not detected engine failures caused by E20.
Infrastructure requirements
E10 Proponents
Fuel retailers say E10 could be offered through existing Octane 95 infrastructure, avoiding major investment in separate tanks and delivery units.
Government Caution
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas says simultaneously supplying multiple nationwide fuel blends would create logistical, inventory and handling challenges.
Regular or premium E10
E10 Proponents
Some sources support using Octane 95 as an E10 route because existing premium-fuel systems could make implementation easier.
Government Caution
Other officials and industry sources are assessing whether consumers would accept expensive premium E10 or prefer a cheaper regular E10 option.
Key facts
- Ethanol content
- E10 contains 10% ethanol, while E20 contains 20% ethanol.
- Potential E10 brands
- XP95, Speed and Power95 are among the branded fuels being considered.
- Companies involved
- Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are discussing the proposal with the Union Petroleum Ministry.
- Premium petrol pricing
- Octane 95 is reported to cost ₹110-115 per litre, compared with about ₹102 per litre for regular petrol in Delhi.
- Octane 95 sales
- Octane 95 accounts for roughly 15% of oil marketing companies’ petrol sales, up from 4% in March.
- E20 mileage impact
- Nitin Gadkari said E20 can reduce fuel efficiency by around 2%-6%, depending on vehicle category and age.
- Reported E20 benefits
- The government says E20 can improve acceleration and ride quality and produce approximately 30% lower carbon emissions than E10.
Quotes
An unnamed source
Source familiar with discussions between the petroleum ministry and oil marketing companies
“Options are being looked at in order to offer the more appropriate E10 fuel for older vehicles and allay the consumer concerns.”
livemint.com
Monty Sehgal
National spokesperson for the Federation of All India Petroleum Traders
“Providing ‘95 Octane’ branded fuels with 10% ethanol is quite easy for OMCs. No need to change tanks or delivery units.”
livemint.com
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Indian government ministry responsible for petroleum and natural gas policy
“The suggestion that every petrol pump should stock pure petrol, E10 and E20 simultaneously also ignores the realities of India's fuel distribution network.”
livemint.com
Sources
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