State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Friday said that additional nationwide testing of E20 petrol found no evidence to support claims of high moisture or chloride contamination, with fuel quality remaining within prescribed limits across the supply chain. The development has come as opposition leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi along with vehicle owners have raised concerns over ethanol blending in petrol, alleging that the practice is impacting mileage, rubber parts and engines.
The intensified testing followed recent media reports alleging the presence of moisture and chloride in E20 (20 per cent ethanol blended petrol).
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) in a joint statement said the exercise covered the entire supply chain and reaffirmed that fuel quality remained “consistently well within prescribed limits”.
Over 100 Petrol Samples Tested
According to Reuters, more than 100 petrol samples from refineries showed chloride levels at or below one part per million (ppm), while ethanol samples from 80 distilleries recorded chloride content below 3 ppm, HPCL, BPCL and Indian Oil said.
The clarification comes amid concerns about nationwide roll out of E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol, a plant-derived alcohol mixed into petrol to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
Chloride Levels Below 3 ppm in Over 80 E20 Samples Tested
More than 80 E20 samples collected from depots and terminals nationwide also showed chloride levels below 3 ppm, the statement said.
The oil marketing companies also said that inspections of underground storage tanks at about 90,000 fuel stations found no water ingress, and urged consumers to continue using E20 petrol with confidence.
The transition has drawn criticism from some consumers, who say the higher ethanol blend affects fuel efficiency and vehicle performance, particularly in older vehicles not designed for the fuel type.
With inputs from PTI, Reuters