India, Aug. 18 -- India should bring back a petrol variant with a lower ethanol blend to protect millions of older vehicles, according to a Government adviser, marking one of the strongest calls yet from a senior official for greater consumer choice amid growing concerns over the country's ethanol policy.

E20 petrol, containing 20 per cent ethanol, was rolled out last year and has been the only petrol variant available for sale at fuel stations across India since April 1 as part of efforts to cut India's dependence on imported oil, support domestic agriculture and reduce emissions.

Some users, particularly of non-BS-VI vehicles, have, however, reported a drop in vehicular performance and damage to auto parts - a claim the government has...