By Admin 
Ethanol: In many big cities of India like Delhi-NCR, sales of 100-octane premium petrol have more than doubled in recent months. Its demand has increased amid growing concerns about possible damage to vehicles due to ethanol-blended fuel. Especially in the month of July, there has been a rise in it.
Major brands of premium petrol
State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) sell 100-octane petrol under different brands, including XP100 of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Speed100 of Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and poWer100 of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL).
It has been specially designed for high-performance vehicles like supercars, luxury sedans and superbikes. Till now its demand in the market has been very low, which is only 0.1% of the total sales of petrol in India because its price is much higher than normal petrol.
How expensive is premium petrol?
Premium petrol is costlier by about 57% compared to normal petrol. In Delhi where the price of normal petrol is Rs 102.12 per liter. At the same time, the price of 100-octane premium petrol is more than Rs 160 per liter. Since now the regular petrol available at petrol pumps across the country has started coming with 20% ethanol blending, people are now left with no other option except buying premium petrol. This is the only fuel which is 100% pure and ethanol free.
Fear of engine damage due to ethanol
Petrol mixed with 20% ethanol was launched in the year 2023. In such a situation, owners of vehicles purchased before 2023 are worried that the use of ethanol blended petrol may cause damage to the fuel pump, rubber pipes and may also cause rust in the engine. Due to this fear, people are giving priority to premium petrol.
However, the government rejected claims that petrol mixed with E20 or 20% ethanol can damage vehicle engines. The government says that under the E20 fuel scheme, 800 ml petrol and 200 ml ethanol is mixed in one liter of fuel. This will reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil, as well as reduce carbon emissions and increase the income of sugarcane farmers.
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