The Chief Economic Adviser of India, V. Anantha Nageswaran, has suggested bringing back E10 petrol at fuel pumps for older vehicles, while newer vehicles continue to use E20. The suggestion comes as motorists with older cars and two-wheelers raise concerns about mileage, vehicle compatibility and maintenance after the shift to higher ethanol blending.
In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, Nageswaran and co-author Akash Poojari argued that India should create a transition mechanism for its older vehicle fleet instead of following a single approach for all vehicles. They proposed giving owners of older vehicles the option to buy E10 petrol, while newer vehicles designed to handle higher ethanol blends can continue using E20.
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Nageswaran said, “Bring back a lower blend, such as E10, for the older fleet of vehicles.” He also called for changes to crop pricing and import duties on edible oil while suggesting that India should remain at E20 until it has fully assessed the food-versus-fuel trade-off.
India’s older two-wheelers
The proposal is particularly relevant for India’s older two-wheelers. The authors estimated that around 75–80 million two-wheelers were built for E10 petrol. Many of these vehicles, especially older carburettor-based models, were not designed around the characteristics of higher ethanol blends.
The E20 transition has also led to concerns about fuel efficiency. According to Nageswaran, ethanol contains about two-thirds the energy of petrol. Since E20 contains 20% ethanol, the resulting energy loss is around 6–7%, rather than the much higher figures sometimes claimed.
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He also pointed out that E20 does not necessarily indicate a vehicle malfunction when it delivers lower mileage. At the same time, ethanol blending can reduce carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions, offering environmental benefits.
The proposed E10 option would therefore allow India to continue its E20 programme while giving owners of older vehicles an alternative fuel suited to their vehicles. The approach could help address concerns over the existing vehicle fleet without reversing India’s broader ethanol-blending policy.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future.
