New Delhi : Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reassured consumers that Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit (EBMS), commonly known as E20 petrol, continues to meet all prescribed quality standards following an extensive nationwide testing exercise conducted across the fuel supply chain.
The clarification comes in response to recent media reports alleging the presence of excessive moisture and chloride contamination in E20 petrol. According to OMCs, the comprehensive scientific investigation found no evidence supporting claims of chloride levels reaching 500 ppm or widespread moisture contamination.
The nationwide testing covered refineries, ethanol distilleries, depots, terminals, tank trucks, and retail outlets. Results consistently showed chloride levels well within the prescribed limits, reaffirming the robustness of India’s fuel quality monitoring system. At refineries, more than 100 randomly selected petrol samples recorded chloride levels at or below 1 ppm. Similarly, ethanol samples collected from 80 distilleries across the country during the past 10 days showed chloride content below 3 ppm, significantly lower than the permissible specifications.
OMCs also tested more than 80 samples from depots and terminals nationwide, all of which recorded chloride levels below 3 ppm. Under an intensified surveillance programme, over 1,000 retail outlet samples were collected, with 160 reports analysed so far showing chloride levels between 0 and 3 ppm. Only four isolated instances of elevated chloride levels were detected during the exercise. OMCs stated that fuel supplies at these locations were immediately suspended, followed by detailed investigations and corrective measures before operations resumed.
To further strengthen quality assurance, approximately 90,000 retail outlets have begun mandatory inspections of underground storage tanks, conducting water-ingress and density tests between eight and twelve times daily. According to OMCs, these inspections have not detected any water ingress so far.
The Government of India has prescribed stringent chloride specifications for ethanol used in petrol blending and has established a multi-level monitoring mechanism covering refineries, distilleries, depots, terminals, and retail outlets. Mobile fuel quality laboratories and independent fuel testing laboratories have also been deployed to validate test results across the country.
OMCs reiterated that fuel quality remains their highest priority and assured consumers that any deviation identified anywhere in the supply chain is addressed immediately through scientific investigation and corrective action. The companies urged consumers to continue using E20 petrol with confidence, stating that fuel supplied through the OMC network fully complies with prescribed quality specifications and is supported by rigorous quality assurance systems designed to safeguard vehicle performance and consumer interests.