Modi government in exploratory talks for E10 fuel, amid E20 pushback — report

The Indian government has undertaken early exploratory discussions to see if E10 fuel — petrol with 10% ethanol — can be retailed for older vehicles in India, news outlet Indian Express reported, citing unnamed sources. 

As per the report, the government is considering retailing E10 fuel along with the already available E20 blend which has received widespread pushback by both vehicle owners and India's opposition leaders. 

On Monday, India's Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran had called for bringing back lower ethanol blends in an opinion piece published by the Indian Express. 

"Restoring a lower blend at the pumps, say, E10, alongside the option to buy E20, would calm most public concern," ‌he had said.

In June, the Indian government had ruled out providing the option of E10 and pure fuel, arguing that it would leave the country's ethanol production capacity underutilized and impact investments made by various stakeholders. 

Government's E20 rollout met with pushback

E20 was rolled out last year ‌and since April ⁠1, ⁠it has been the only fuel available for sale at gas stations across the country, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plans to reduce oil imports and ​help curb pollution.

The move has largely been unpopular. 

Since April, vehicle owners have complained of notable reduction in mileage and damage in engine components in older vehicles which are not designed for higher ethanol blends. 

Opposition Leaders have raised questions on why motorists are not offered the choice of pure fuel and E10 along with the E20 blend.

Modi's Government has meanwhile tried to assuage concerns, assuring masses that the E20 variant's benefits outweigh the setbacks.

It said the mileage drop was limited to 3-5%. It also cited auto servicing data to say the E20 blend had not caused significant damage to engines in older vehicles.