Premium petrol sales triple as E20 concerns push buyers to high-octane fuel

Concerns over ethanol-blended E20 petrol damaging vehicle mileage and engines have driven consumers to premium, high-octane petrol, pushing its share of sales to 12-15% from about 4% in March, dealers and executives say. The premium variants, such as Indian Oil's XP95, cost Rs 110-115 a litre versus Rs 102 for regular petrol, though both contain 20% ethanol. Dealers say demand will keep rising unless consumers get access to E10 or ethanol-free petrol.

The Union government's chief economic adviser has backed reintroducing E10 alongside E20 to calm public concern. Meanwhile, diesel car sales jumped to 71,385 units in July from 64,853 in June, as some consumers shift away from ethanol-blended fuel entirely. Queries to state-run oil marketing companies and the petroleum ministry went unanswered.