Overview
- Government officials and state oil marketing companies held early‑stage talks on Thursday about whether premium 95‑octane fuels can be offered as E10, and no formal decision has been taken.
- Retailers and pump owners say converting existing premium‑fuel tanks to E10 would be straightforward and would not require new delivery units or major tank changes.
- Bharat Petroleum’s chairman publicly discussed the option and later clarified there is no proposal to replace E20, reflecting mixed and cautious signals from OMCs and officials.
- Premium 95‑octane variants currently sold across about 90,000 public pumps already contain 20% ethanol plus additives and cost roughly Rs 110–115 per litre in Delhi, so an E10 premium would likely carry a price premium or limited availability.
- Any move to reintroduce E10 would affect ethanol demand, the large investments tied to the E20 programme, and drivers of older cars who report mileage and compatibility concerns, while the ministry continues to warn that multiple nationwide base blends would create major logistical challenges.