As pure petrol becomes costly a few ready to pay more

Owners say they don't mind paying extra to maintain their luxury vehicle Bhubaneswar: As ethanol-blended petrol becomes the default fuel at filling stations across the state, a small but growing group of vehicle owners is willing to pay a steep price for pure petrol, often costing around Rs 170 per litre, to protect high-value engines and specialised equipment. They are also willing to travel more, as pure petrol, according to many, is not readily available at most filling stations within the city limits. For most ordinary motorists, however, such an option remains far beyond reach, leaving them with little choice but to adapt to E20 fuel. But owners of vintage cars, superbikes, luxury vehicles and generator sets say they continue to prefer ethanol-free petrol despite its significantly higher cost. 'For my vintage car, finding the right fuel is more important than the price. The vehicle is over four decades old, and some components are difficult to replace. Spending more on fuel is still cheaper than spending lakhs on repairs,' says Purna Chandra Ojha, a retired govt employee who owns a Maruti 800. The growing interest in pure petrol comes amid continuing discussions among motorists over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on older vehicles and machinery. While newer vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are designed to run on E20 fuel, owners of ageing engines and specialised machines often remain cautious. Superbike enthusiasts and luxury car owners are among those willing to pay a premium. 'When you invest several lakhs in a high-performance motorcycle, fuel quality becomes a priority. Most superbike owners don't mind paying extra if they believe it will help maintain performance and reliability,' says Akshit Patnaik, a member of a city-based biking group. Apart from the vehicle owners, generator operators are also emerging as regular buyers of ethanol-free petrol. 'We operate generators at several commercial establishments. Many clients prefer pure petrol because the equipment may remain unused for days at a stretch,' says Ajay Naik, an operator managing power backup services in the city. Naik, however, had to travel up to Pahala, about 12km from the city, recently to find pure petrol, which, according to him, is not readily available at most filling stations within Bhubaneswar. He says he is willing to travel farther to find the right fuel since the trust of his clients and the righteousness of his business are of topmost priority. Fuel retailers, however, say that the demand for pure petrol remains limited. 'The average customer is primarily concerned about affordability. Very few motorists are willing or able to spend nearly double the amount for fuel. Most customers simply use the petrol available at the pump,' says Sashank Sahoo, a fuel station attendant here. Ordinary motorists, on the other hand, have little option but to adjust. Some have started monitoring mileage more closely, while others are focusing on timely servicing and maintenance to maximise fuel efficiency. 'I can't afford petrol at Rs 170 per litre. The ethanol-blended petrol remains my only option,' says govt employee Pradeep Kumar Das. Source link