BS EDIT: India's Ethanol Transition

By Business StandardPublished On Jul 8, 2026

The Bigger Picture

E20 supports energy security and cleaner fuel. The challenge lies in managing the transition, not the policy itself

Consumer Concerns

E20 may reduce mileage and affect older vehicles, even if studies show no widespread engine damage

Give Consumers a Choice

Older vehicles weren't built for E20. Keeping E10 available would have made the shift fairer

Brazil's Example

Brazil paired higher ethanol blending with fuel choices, making the transition smoother for motorists

Rethink Feedstock

Using surplus rice for ethanol is costly and resource-intensive, raising economic and environmental concerns

The Way Forward

A successful ethanol policy needs consumer choice, efficient feedstocks, and sound economic planning