India should reintroduce a fuel type containing a lower proportion of ethanol, according to a top government adviser, marking the first time a senior official has urged broader fuel choices in response to rising public frustration over a controversial policy shift.
E20 — petrol blended with 20% ethanol — was introduced last year and, since April 1, has been the sole fuel offered at gas stations nationwide, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategy to cut oil imports and help reduce pollution.
However, the decision has sparked widespread worries about vehicle performance and potential damage to auto components, prompting many car owners to voice their anger on social media and urge the government to provide fuel options with lower ethanol blends.
Offering a lower ethanol blend such as E10 at fuel stations, in addition to the option of purchasing E20, would ease most public worries, India's Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran wrote in an opinion piece in the Indian Express newspaper on Monday.
The piece was co-authored with Akash Poojari, a consultant in India's Department of Economic Affairs. They noted that their views were personal. It is, however, rare for top Indian officials to disagree publicly with a government position.
Last month, the government announced that it does not intend to revert to petrol with lower blend levels, such as E0 or E10.
The comments come in response to a Reuters report from last week revealing that leading car manufacturers had privately raised concerns about E20 contamination just days before an industry association submitted an official complaint to the government, whichh was subsequently retracted.
The opinion piece said the evidence does not support fears of damage to engines, but there were concerns about other impacts of E20 on older vehicles.
"India has roughly 75 to 80 million older two-wheelers ... older rubber seals that are not rated for ethanol are a separate problem ... retrofitting those seals... that way will take years," the opinion piece said.