Can Easily Supply E10 Petrol: BPCL MD
Written By: Neeraj Padmakumar
Published: August 28, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Updated: August 28, 2026 at 10:35 AM
The government is reportedly considering bringing back E10 (10% ethanol-blended) petrol and selling it alongside E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol. Previously, infrastructure limitations were seen as a major hurdle in introducing E10 fuel. Now, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna has confirmed that the company is technically ready to supply E10 petrol alongside E20, without requiring separate dispensing infrastructure. However, he emphasized that no final decision on introducing E10 at pumps has been made yet, with discussions focused on offering E10 as an additional fuel option for older vehicles.
Existing Pumps Capable of Dispensing E10
The potential return of E10 petrol has gained attention due to ongoing concerns about E20 compatibility among vehicle owners. According to Khanna, BPCL already possesses the infrastructure necessary to dispense fuel containing up to 10% ethanol. He explained that as BPCL is currently dispensing E20, transitioning to E10 would involve changing the supplied fuel rather than building a new network of pumps or storage infrastructure. This suggests BPCL does not foresee significant infrastructure challenges in supplying E10.
E10 Could Be Offered Alongside E20
The government is not currently planning a complete reversal of the ethanol-blending program. Instead, one option under consideration is making E10 petrol available alongside E20. This would be beneficial for older vehicles that may have been designed and certified for lower ethanol blends. An E10 option would thus be practical for these models.
However, several details still need to be finalized. These include the method of supplying E10, its availability, and whether Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) can handle another grade of petrol through their existing distribution system. Khanna clarified that discussions are ongoing and the final proposal has not been decided upon yet.
India’s Oil Supply Situation
Khanna also addressed India’s oil supply situation amidst ongoing tensions in West Asia and uncertainty surrounding potential US tariffs on Russian oil importers, including India. The US Senate recently passed a bill proposing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, with India among the affected countries. Despite these developments, Khanna assured that India’s oil supplies are secure for now, although the situation remains volatile.
BPCL is diversifying its crude sources to mitigate disruptions in supply routes. BPCL Director of Finance Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta revealed that the company has secured crude arrangements for September and is working on securing supplies for October. They expect to receive their first Iraqi crude cargo of the current financial year soon. BPCL is also open to purchasing additional crude from Gulf suppliers on a free-on-board basis, contingent upon suitable ships being available.
Rationale Behind Considering E10 Again
The discussions follow a severe public backlash over the E20 program, which aims to reduce India’s dependency on imported crude oil. The blending program, which began as a pilot in 2001, has evolved with the introduction of E5 (5% ethanol-blended petrol) in 2006.