CEA Suggests E10 Petrol for Older Vehicles Amid E20 Debate

Amid the nationwide debate over ethanol-blended petrol, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has suggested that E10 petrol should be made available for older vehicles. He noted that a large number of vehicles manufactured before the BS4 era are still on Indian roads and may not be optimally suited to higher ethanol blends. According to Nageswaran, older vehicles could face concerns related to engine performance and the durability of certain rubber components when exposed to higher ethanol content. He said retrofitting such vehicles is possible, but could take considerable time.

Nageswaran also stressed that the E20 debate should not be limited to vehicle compatibility alone. He called for a broader assessment of the impact of ethanol production on food security, agricultural land and water resources. A rise in demand for crops used to produce ethanol, he cautioned, could affect their availability for food and animal feed. While acknowledging the potential benefits of E20, he said policy decisions should maintain a balance between food, fuel and water requirements.