CEA Calls for E10 Petrol Option for Older Vehicles

India's Chief Economic Adviser has broken ranks with the federal government's firm stance on ethanol-blended fuel, publicly suggesting that a lower-ethanol petrol option be restored for millions of older vehicles. In an opinion piece published on August 17, 2026, in The Indian Express, V. Anantha Nageswaran became the first senior official to call for offering E10 petrol alongside the now-mandatory E20 blend, citing a specific problem with the country's vast fleet of pre-Bharat Stage IV (BSIV) twowheelers.

The E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and petrol, was rolled out last year as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to cut pollution and reduce India's heavy reliance on imported crude oil. As of April 1, 2026, it is the sole fuel variant available at pumps nationwide. However, the policy has faced growing public backlash, with vehicle owners complaining online about reduced mileage and potential engine damage. Nageswaran's intervention directly addresses this controversy while introducing a new policy suggestion.

In his column, co-authored with consultant Akash Poojari, Nageswaran defended the core technical safety of E20. He cited tests in the United States and by...