Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has officially clarified that there are no plans to replace the current E20 ethanol-blended petrol with E10. This statement, issued on August 28, 2026, aims to quell recent confusion and ongoing debate surrounding India's fuel blending program.
The clarification follows remarks made by BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna on August 27, where he was initially reported to have suggested that the company was evaluating the feasibility of offering a lower-blend option, such as E10, for older vehicles. Khanna later reiterated that his comments were misquoted and that he never stated E20 would be changed to E10.
The controversy arises amidst discussions about the impact of E20 fuel, which contains 20 percent ethanol, on non-BS-VI legacy vehicles, particularly older two-wheelers with carburettors and unrated rubber seals. While some experts have advocated for a parallel supply of lower-blend fuels to protect existing fleets, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has consistently cited insurmountable logistical hurdles in maintaining separate nationwide supply chains for multiple fuel grades across India's extensive network of petrol pumps.
Addressing the technical aspects, Khanna noted that switching the overall supply chain from E20 to E10 would not pose operational challenges for oil marketing companies if such a policy decision were made. However, BPCL has affirmed its unwavering commitment to the national ethanol blending program, emphasizing that field experience over three years from millions of vehicles has shown no evidence of engine damage due to E20 fuel.