Govt planning to bring E10 back? Clamour grows after top bureaucrat's remark
The Indian government is facing pressure to reintroduce E10 fuel for older vehicles, despite currently mandating E20 ethanol-blended petrol. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran argues that older engines may suffer damage from higher ethanol concentrations, though officials maintain there are no immediate plans to change the policy.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between India's aggressive green energy transition and the practical maintenance needs of millions of existing vehicle owners.
NEW DELHI: The debate over E20 petrol has taken a fresh turn after chief economic adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran argued that lower-ethanol fuel such as E10 should be made available for older vehicles, even as government officials maintain that there is currently no plan to bring E10 back to fuel stations.Nageswaran's position has added weight to demands from vehicle owners and political leaders who have been seeking a lower-ethanol option since E20 became the only petrol variant available at fuel pumps from April 2026.What did the CEA sayIn an opinion piece, Nageswaran and department of economic affairs consultant Akash Poojari argued that older vehicles need protection while the industry works on making them compatible with higher ethanol blends.The article acknowledged that there is no strong evidence of widespread engine damage from E20, but pointed to a specific concern involving older vehicles.
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