NEW DELHI: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd chairman and MD Sanjay Khanna said Thursday the company was looking into the feasibility of giving consumers the option of E10 petrol alongside existing E20, only to walk back the comment, which was at odds with the Centre’s position.“We are looking into various related aspects but nothing has been finalised yet,” said the chief of the oil marketing company that is the leading coordinator for the ethanol blending programme. However, a few hours later, amid growing scrutiny, he claimed that he had been misquoted.On X, BPCL posted that the CMD said “there is no proposal to replace the existing E20 blended petrol with E10, on Thursday after BPCL’s AGM”.“His response is being misquoted to suggest as if E10 is being considered as an option, which is not correct, it said.
Govt has no plans to introduce E10 fuel, says ministry official
Large-scale field experience from millions of vehicles operating on E20 fuel for more than last 3 years has not shown any evidence of engine damage or any other concerns. E20 contributes to reducing pollution, creating rural prosperity and saving foreign exchange,” BPCL said.“BPCL continues to support the national ethanol blending programme and remains committed to ensuring fuel quality,” the oil marketing company said.The petroleum ministry appeared surprised over BPCL CMD Sanjay Khanna’s remarks made at a news conference after the company’s AGM. A senior ministry official said that “there have absolutely been no discussions in govt on the matter”. “Govt has said before that there are no plans to introduce E10 fuel. There is no departure from that position,” the official said.
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Khanna said details were being worked out on in what form or to what extent petrol with lower blending of ethanol could be brought in and the logistics associated with it. He, however, clarified that there was no plan to replace E20 with E10. “One of the options being explored is whether we can have E10 fuel for older vehicles, which is what is being pursued right now.”A senior executive of an oil company said govt in July sought details of storage and dispensing infrastructure and the feasibility of having another blend of petrol at filling stations from all companies, which were provided to it. “But there has been no formal communication from govt on this issue since then,” the official said.
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