Ethanol-Blended Petrol Will Stay for At Least 15 Years: BPCL

As debates around ethanol-blended petrol heat up, Anurag Saraogi, Executive Director of Biofuels at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), has stepped in to address public concerns. He has acknowledged the trade-offs but has made a strong case for the fuel's environmental benefits.

"Ethanol has a very high octane number, and if auto manufacturers use that to their advantage, there's real performance to be gained," ANI quoted Saraogi as saying. "It's highly emission-friendly. Overall, ethanol is a good thing."

He didn't shy away from the one big drawback that consumers often grumble about: mileage. "Yes, ethanol delivers about 30% lower fuel efficiency in its chemical form," he admitted. "But a lot also depends on individual driving habits. As a citizen, I'd still look at ethanol positively because it's much cleaner for the environment-and that's critical for the next generation."

No, Ethanol Isn't Going Away Anytime Soon

When asked about the long-term future of ethanol-blended petrol, Saraogi was clear: this fuel isn't disappearing overnight.

"It really depends on how the transition plays out for petrol vehicles," he said. "By 2035, petrol demand may flatten out due to electric vehicles, hydrogen, or other alternatives. Growth might slow, but it won't vanish. I'd expect ethanol-blended petrol to stay relevant for at least the next 15 years. After that, it might see a gradual dip-but it's not going away completely."

#WATCH | Mumbai: On concerns among common people regarding ethanol, Executive Director of Biofuels, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Anurag Saraogi says, “Ethanol also has a very high octane number so if it is put to good use by the automotive manufacturers you can… pic.twitter.com/zl0l5B15MU

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2026

A Key Piece in India's Energy Security Puzzle

Saraogi also pushed back on the idea that biofuels are just a stopgap measure, framing them instead as a vital part of India's strategy to cut reliance on imported fuel.

"Biofuels are an essential part of the global energy security conversation. There are many transition paths, and biofuels are one of them-India is no stranger to this space," he said. "In fact, our ethanol journey since 2003 has been remarkable. We're also making headway with compressed biogas, and there are plenty of government schemes to support that growth. Sustainable aviation fuel is another area where dialogue is picking up."

He pointed out that India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending. "Right up to 2035-2040, I don't see biofuels-or other alternatives-completely replacing fossil fuels. But they are certainly going to play a growing role."

Government Denies 'Experiment' Tag in Supreme Court

The clarification from BPCL comes amid confusion over recent media reports that claimed the Centre had told the Supreme Court the E20 programme was still an "ongoing experiment."

The government has strongly rejected that narrative. In a late-night statement on Tuesday, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice called the reports "incorrectly reported" and "completely false." It clarified that no such submission was made during the hearing of a special leave petition filed by BPCL related to ethanol allocation.

"At no stage was any submission made that the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme or the E20 blending programme is an 'experiment'," the ministry asserted.

Earlier reports had quoted a top law officer as saying that the impact of the policy would become clearer by next year-a remark the government now says was taken out of context.