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After the implementation of E20 fuel across the country, vehicle owners are continuously expressing concern about the impact on the mileage and engine of old vehicles. In view of this resentment of the people, now the Central Government is looking for a new option to provide relief. The petroleum ministry is brainstorming with state-owned oil companies—Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum—on whether branded or premium petrol like XP95, Speed ​​and Power95 can be sold in E10 formulation.

Plan to provide E10 through branded fuel

In fact, in many parts of the country, drivers claim that the use of petrol mixed with 20 percent ethanol has reduced the mileage of vehicles and increased the cost of servicing. Kushinagar businessman Govind Kasodhan says that his bike is now consuming more fuel than before, while according to textile businessman Rastogi, his car is repeatedly breaking down.

To resolve these complaints, the government is planning to use branded petrol. This premium petrol with octane 95 can be offered as E10 petrol without new infrastructure and separate storage. Currently, while normal petrol is being sold at around Rs 102 per liter in Delhi, the price of 95-octane fuel like XP95 or Speed ​​is around Rs 110 to 115 per litre.

Impact on mileage and government figures

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had also admitted in a written reply in Parliament that E20 petrol could reduce fuel economy by 2 to 6 per cent, depending on the vehicle. However, he also clarified that no serious technical faults have been found in the engine's durability or components during the dynamometer and on-road tests.

According to the ministry, E20 reduces carbon emissions by about 30 percent compared to E10 and acceleration is better. At the same time, for those who do not want ethanol mixed petrol at all, 100-octane variant is also available in the market, which is priced at Rs 150 to 170 per liter and contains absolutely zero ethanol.

Ethanol Blending Program in India was started in 2001. Whereas in the year 2013-14, blending was only 1.53 percent, now it has been increased to 20 percent. At present, this plan to introduce E10 in 95-octane fuel is in the initial stage and discussions are going on with oil companies on its practical feasibility.