BPCL Explores E10 Petrol Supply for Older Vehicles

The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is evaluating the logistics of offering petrol blended with 10 percent ethanol (E10) at retail outlets alongside the existing E20 variant. This exploration aims to address public concerns regarding fuel-system compatibility and mileage for older vehicles.

BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna stated that while the company is vetting the option, no final decisions have been made. Khanna clarified that E20 petrol will not be replaced by E10, but rather that E10 may be offered as a separate option. He noted that BPCL sees no major logistical challenges in using existing infrastructure, as blending occurs at depots rather than refineries.

The move follows a proposal from Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran, who suggested that restoring a lower-ethanol blend would calm public concern. The Federation of All India Petroleum Traders also indicated that oil marketing companies could leverage existing premium fuel infrastructure to supply E10 without altering retail tanks.

However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has previously resisted reverting to lower blends. Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi argued that there is no proposal to return to an inferior standard, citing increased costs and logistics complexity. The Ministry recently issued a factsheet refuting claims that vehicles manufactured before 2023 cannot run on E20, stating that no widespread engine failures attributable to ethanol blending have been reported.