As pure gasoline becomes expensive, few are willing to pay more.

Owners say they don’t mind paying extra to maintain their luxury car.

Bhubaneswar: As ethanol-blended petrol becomes the standard fuel at filling stations across the state, a small but growing group of vehicle owners are willing to pay high prices for pure petrol, often costing around Rs 170 per liter, to protect expensive engines and specialized equipment. They are also willing to travel more, since clean gasoline, according to many, is not always available at most gas stations within the city.However, for most ordinary motorists this option remains far out of reach and they are left with no choice but to adapt to E20 fuel. But owners of vintage cars, superbikes, luxury cars and generator sets say they still prefer ethanol-free petrol, despite its significantly higher cost.“For my vintage car, finding the right fuel is more important than the price. The car is over four decades old and some components are difficult to replace. Spending more on fuel is still cheaper than spending thousands of dollars on repairs,” says Purna Chandra Ojha, a retired government employee who owns a Maruti 800.The growing interest in clean gasoline comes amid ongoing debate among motorists about the impact of ethanol-containing fuel on older vehicles and appliances. Although new vehicles built after April 2023 are designed to run on E20 fuel, owners of older engines and specialized vehicles often remain cautious.Superbike enthusiasts and luxury car owners are among those willing to pay more. “When you invest several thousand dollars in a high-performance motorcycle, fuel quality becomes a priority. Most superbike owners don’t mind paying extra if they feel it will help maintain performance and reliability,” says Akshit Patnaik, a member of the city’s cycling group.In addition to vehicle owners, generator operators are becoming regular buyers of ethanol-free gasoline. “We operate generators in several commercial establishments. Many customers prefer pure petrol because the equipment can remain unused for days,” says Ajay Naik, an operator who runs power backup services in the city.Naik, however, recently had to travel to Pahala, about 12 km from the city, to source clean petrol, which he said is not always available at most petrol stations in Bhubaneswar. He says he is willing to travel further to find the right fuel because the trust of his customers and the righteousness of his business are of the highest priority.However, fuel retailers say demand for clean gasoline remains limited. “The average buyer is primarily concerned with affordability. Very few motorists are willing or able to spend nearly twice as much money on fuel. Most customers simply use the petrol available at the pump,” says Sashank Sahu, a petrol station attendant.On the other hand, ordinary motorists have no choice but to adapt. Some have started monitoring mileage more closely, while others are focusing on timely service and maintenance to maximize fuel efficiency. “I can’t afford petrol at Rs 170 a liter. Petrol containing ethanol remains my only option,” says government official Pradeep Kumar Das.