State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have said that E20 petrol meets prescribed quality standards, following additional nationwide testing conducted in response to recent concerns over moisture and chloride contamination in ethanol-blended fuel.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) said in a joint statement that extensive testing across the country found no evidence supporting claims of high moisture or chloride contamination in E20 petrol. The companies said fuel quality remained consistently within the prescribed limits throughout the supply chain.
The intensified testing exercise was launched after media reports raised concerns about the presence of moisture and chloride in E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol blended with petrol. The OMCs said the additional checks covered the entire fuel supply chain, including various stages from storage and transportation to retail outlets.
According to the three companies, the nationwide testing was designed to scientifically assess fuel quality and verify whether the reported concerns were supported by evidence. The results, they said, did not indicate any widespread contamination or deviation from established quality specifications.
The OMCs rejected claims suggesting that E20 fuel was facing a widespread contamination problem and said there was no evidence of any alarm based on the extensive testing carried out. They reiterated that fuel quality is being closely monitored and remains within the limits prescribed by the relevant authorities.
The findings come amid growing public discussion over E20 petrol and fuel quality as India expands ethanol blending under its biofuel programme. E20 petrol is aimed at reducing crude oil imports, improving energy security and increasing the use of domestically produced ethanol.
The OMCs said the latest nationwide testing exercise reinforces their assurance that E20 petrol supplied through their networks meets the required quality norms. They added that fuel quality monitoring would continue across the supply chain to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
