App gives old vehicle owners new lifeline to find 'pure' petrol

New Delhi: The nationwide shift towards E20 petrol has left owners of older vehicles increasingly concerned about mileage loss, engine compatibility and possible damage to fuel-system components. A new platform called E0 Finder now helps motorists locate petrol pumps that sell premium fuel with zero ethanol content, offering an alternative for those seeking to avoid E20.

E20 petrol, containing 20% ethanol, has become the predominant fuel at most petrol stations since April 2026 as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and cut India's dependence on imported crude oil. The transition has particularly worried owners of older vehicles, many of which were designed for E10 or lower ethanol blends. Ethanol's tendency to absorb moisture can affect fuel lines, rubber seals and plastic components, while motorists have also reported reduced mileage and starting difficulties with older vehicles.

E0 Finder, developed by engineer Gaurav Thakkar through e0fuel.It brings information on pumps selling ethanol-free premium petrol onto a single map. It currently lists premium fuels offered by public-sector oil companies, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, eliminating the need to search each company's website separately.

The platform can use a browser's location to identify nearby E0 pumps, while users can also search by city or place. No account, OTP or personal information is required, and the platform says location data is not stored. Information is sourced from official oil company websites and is updated daily, with confidence ratings and freshness labels indicating the reliability and recency of listings.

However, E0 Finder does not provide real-time fuel stock information. Its listings are based on the previous day's data, making it advisable for motorists planning long journeys to contact stations before travelling. The platform currently covers only public-sector outlets and does not list Shell, Jio-bp or Nayara stations.