CEA pushes E10 option, officials reject feasibility

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has reignited the ethanol blending debate by arguing for making E10 (10% ethanol-blended petrol) available for vehicles manufactured before April 2023. Frontline reports that the E20 programme has become a national controversy, with vehicle owners worried about mileage and engine damage, farmers and auto manufacturers caught in the crossfire, and the Supreme Court weighing in. The Cockroach Janta Party's protests pushed the issue into the spotlight, while the government insists the blend is safe, even after the Attorney General called it an "experiment."

Times of India reports that officials were surprised by the CEA's views, which run counter to the government's push for E20. A government official said there is no discussion on reverting to E10, as creating additional infrastructure for it is logistically difficult and could lead to pricing and distribution issues. Another official said allowing E10 would imply accepting E20 is bad for older vehicles, which studies have not shown. Frontline notes that ethanol production now relies heavily on maize and rice, raising concerns about food security.