EXCLUSIVE: "Only E20 Petrol Across the Country For Now", Affirms Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain

Speaking at the Biofuels 360° Summit in New Delhi, Pankaj Jain, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary, put an end to speculation on India's ethanol blending strategy with a straightforward statement: petrol pumps will only have E20 on sale, which is 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, in the future. There will be no buffet of fuel blends such as E10, E20, or E30. Speaking exclusively with Acko Drive, Jain explained that the government's plan for now is to stick with the E20 blend and ensure that there's no confusion among customers, logistical nightmares for oil companies, and delays in achieving environmental goals. "For now, we only have the e20 blend, but other blends will happen in due course, of course, the matter is under consideration with the inter-ministerial committee, so it's too soon to comment."

Jain presented the move as a step towards long-term decarbonisation, citing international precedents like Brazil's E27, while assuring the public that Indian vehicles and fuel systems are prepared to handle E20. Yet he also left room for higher levels in the future, once the market, the manufacturing, and the infrastructure fully fall into line. 

Also Read: Ethanol-Blended Petrol Push: Govt Dismisses Concerns About Engine Malfunctions, Cites Brazil's Gains

Why Only E20, for Now?

Jain noted that one blend makes logistics easier, avoids consumer complexity, and facilitates faster policy implementation. Having several alternatives, such as E10, E20, or E30, available at fuel stations would make distribution, retail, and campaigns more complex. 

Supporting E20 with Global Examples and Indian Readiness

Jain referred to Brazil's long experience with E27 (27 per cent ethanol) as evidence of viability. Most international automakers already support such blends, implying Indian-origin or India-sold cars should have no problems with E20. He expressed belief in the ecosystem developed thus far, such as regulatory structures, fuel standards, and manufacturer participation, to enable the transition to E20.

Also Read: Is E20 Fuel Safe for Older Cars? Complete Guide for Indian Car Owners

Looking Beyond E20? Perhaps Later

Whereas there's no instant step towards dual blends, Jain kept the door ajar. With India moving forward beyond E20 to higher ethanol blends, providing diversified fuel choices might be revisited sometime in the future. Meanwhile, however, E20 continues to be the country's uniform, crystal clear and single. 

Context: India's Biofuel Journey

This is according to India's ethanol blending plan: from an aspirational vision a few years ago to exceeding 10 per cent ethanol blending ahead of the timeline, and now attaining E20 earlier than anticipated. In parallel, the government is promoting second-generation ethanol (from farm waste) and investigating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a phased basis.

Public Concern and Industry Response

Though official guarantees have been made, unease lingers. Car manufacturers and some drivers are concerned with engine incompatibility, decreased fuel economy, and corrosion, particularly on older, non-E20-tuned cars. The ministry and independent research oppose these concerns: fuel efficiency effect allegedly minimal, component wear acceptable, and engine damage mostly anecdotal. These assurances are meant to pre-empt disinformation and support public confidence.

Also Read: Carmakers Step Up Flex Fuel Efforts with CAFE III On The Horizon

Will Existing Vehicles Require Changes?

For most post-April 2023 vehicles, fuel systems have already been upgraded to be compatible with E20 by automakers. Yet, numerous cars made before this time, particularly pre-2015 models, can suffer from material wear or engine knocking from increased ethanol levels. Compatibility lists were issued by manufacturers, and in a few instances, minor modifications like replacement of fuel lines or resetting the ECU might be necessary.

What Do Owners of Older Cars Do?

Owners of older cars are recommended to consult OEM advisories to ascertain E20 compatibility. In the event of incompatibility, the use of lesser ethanol blends where available (e.g., E10) is recommended for modifications from authorised service workshops.

Regional Readiness: States Leading and Lagging

States like Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are already a step ahead in terms of E20 adoption because of robust ethanol manufacturing capability and superior blending infrastructure. In contrast, some north-eastern states and parts of the hill regions are set to experience slower rollout because of logistical issues, limited ethanol availability, and fewer blending facilities.

Also Read: Nissan Magnite Becomes Fully E20 Compatible, Achieves 50,000 Export Sales Milestone

The Big Question: Is Going E20-Only the Right Move?

Requiring only one fuel mix streamlines rollout and enhances clarity. Is it overly inflexible, though? With no fallbacks, how do we guard against older car owners or areas of lower awareness? As India goes greener, must flexibility in fuel selection be sacrificed for tempo, or is consistency the wiser, more scalable route?