CEA urges E10 for older two-wheelers as government says no plan to reintroduce

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran, together with Department of Economic Affairs consultant Akash Poojari, argued that India’s roughly 75-80 million older two-wheelers need a lower-ethanol fuel such as E10 because many have rubber seals not rated for the higher ethanol content of the mandatory E20 blend. They noted that while studies have not shown widespread engine damage from E20, adapting older vehicles will take years and a retrofit programme is needed.

Government officials countered that no proposal exists to re-introduce E10, citing the need for additional storage, pricing and distribution infrastructure and the risk of implying that E20 is unsuitable. They emphasized that the 20 % blending target has been met and that E20 does not cause mechanical issues. The debate has become a political flashpoint, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly questioning the policy and accusing the government of harming motorists. Despite the heightened scrutiny, the administration maintains its commitment to the E20 blend as part of its energy-security and import-reduction strategy.