Which Petrol Has Zero Percent Ethanol in India? Full List and Price Details Inside

As India gradually shifts towards cleaner fuels with the government's ethanol blending initiative, one query that has often crossed motorists' minds is whether there is still petrol with zero percent ethanol. Though the majority of fuel stations in the country now sell E20 petrol (a blend of 20% ethanol), some premium stations still have ethanol-free petrol for certain purposes.

What Is E20 Petrol and Why Was It Introduced?

The E20 fuel scheme of the government of India seeks to minimize the nation's reliance on crude oil imports and encourage greener options. Blending 20% ethanol with petrol, the scheme reduces carbon emissions and incentivizes domestic ethanol manufacturing using farm-derived sources such as sugarcane and maize.

But the implementation hasn't been controversy-free. Most car owners particularly the users of older cars have complained about mileage reduction, harsh idling, and even corrosion in engines that aren't high ethanol content-friendly. In spite of a public interest litigation filed against the program, the Supreme Court upheld the countrywide implementation of E20 fuel.

Which Petrol Has 0% Ethanol in India?

If you’re looking for petrol that contains no ethanol, there are currently only two options available for consumers in India:

• IndianOil XP100

• Hindustan Petroleum poWer100

These are 100-octane premium fuels, designed primarily for high-performance or luxury vehicles. They are the only retail fuels in India that are ethanol-free, offering a pure petrol composition.

Why Are XP100 and poWer100 Ethanol-Free?

Oil companies deliberately exclude ethanol from these premium fuels for two practical reasons:

Low Sales Volume:

The 100-octane variants represent a niche market segment. Plying ethanol blending in such a minuscule volume would be logistically burdensome with no substantial gains.

Storage Stability:

Ethanol is hygroscopic in nature, drawing in moisture, which can cause the fuel to degrade over a period of time. With premium fuels selling at a slower rate, maintaining them ethanol-free promotes better shelf life and uniform quality.

Which Vehicals Should Use Ethanol-Free Petrol?

Ethanol-free petrol is perfect for:

• Vintage cars and motorbikes not designed with ethanol compatibility

• High-performance cars needing more octane and clean combustion

• Periodic use engines like sports bikes or collector cars

For most recent cars produced post-2020, E20-compatible engines are in the making, so ethanol-free petrol is no longer a major necessity.

How Much Does Zero Ethanol Petrol Cost?

The principal disadvantage is expense. While normal E20 fuel will set you back about ₹100 per litre (location depending), XP100 and poWer100 are from ₹160 to ₹180 per litre. The added price renders them infeasible for everyday people but worth it for hobbyists or delicate engines.

Why Switch to Ethanol-Free Fuel?

For regular drivers, E20 petrol is still the most affordable and sensible option. But for those with high-performance or vintage cars, XP100 or poWer100 are the only two ethanol-free choices in India that guarantee the best performance and engine protection.

Disclaimer: The price of ethanol-free petrol may vary depending on the city, fuel station, and prevailing market conditions.