Amid recent reports raising concerns about moisture and chloride levels in E20 petrol (Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit), Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have conducted nationwide, intensive testing across the entire fuel supply chain. The extensive testing has reaffirmed that E20 petrol supplied through the OMC network continues to meet prescribed fuel quality specifications. Contrary to certain claims of widespread contamination, the additional testing has found no evidence of any systemic fuel-quality concern. The results from scientifically designed and independently validated tests indicate that fuel quality remains consistently within the prescribed limits.
Fuel Quality Remains a Top Priority
OMCs have reiterated that fuel quality and consumer safety remain their highest priorities. Therefore, any issue that could potentially affect vehicle performance or consumer confidence is investigated promptly through scientific testing, root-cause analysis and corrective action. Furthermore, quality surveillance has been strengthened across every stage of the E20 petrol supply chain, from ethanol production and refineries to depots, tank trucks and retail outlets.
Stringent Chloride Monitoring Across the Supply Chain
The Government of India has prescribed stringent chloride specifications for ethanol used in petrol blending. In addition, a high-frequency monitoring mechanism is in place to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.
Chloride levels are monitored at multiple points, including:
Refineries
Ethanol distilleries
Depots and terminals
Tank trucks
Retail outlets
This comprehensive monitoring system helps identify any deviation at an early stage and ensures that fuel quality is maintained as E20 petrol moves from production to consumers.
Petrol from Refineries Records Chloride Levels Below 1 ppm
Additional testing of Motor Spirit (MS) samples from refineries has further reinforced the quality of petrol entering the supply chain. More than 100 randomly selected petrol samples collected from various refineries were tested. All samples recorded chloride levels at or below 1 ppm. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the quality-control measures integrated into India’s refining, storage and dispatch processes.
Ethanol from Distilleries Meets Quality Requirements
Ethanol is the principal blending component in E20 petrol. Therefore, maintaining its quality is critical to ensuring the quality of the final blended fuel. Ethanol samples collected directly from distilleries have consistently recorded chloride levels significantly below the prescribed specification, indicating effective quality-control practices at the production stage. Moreover, a dedicated task force comprising members from OMCs and the Centre for High Technology (CHT) tested ethanol samples from 80 distilleries across India over the past 10 days. All samples recorded chloride levels below 3 ppm.
E20 Petrol at Depots and Terminals Remains Within Limits
Testing has also been intensified at OMC depots and terminals to verify fuel quality after blending and during storage and distribution. More than 80 samples collected from different OMC terminals across the country were tested. Chloride levels in all these samples remained below 3 ppm. Therefore, the results indicate that fuel quality continues to be maintained as E20 petrol passes through the OMC storage and distribution infrastructure.
Retail Outlet Testing Finds Chloride Levels of 0–3 ppm
OMCs have also significantly increased surveillance at retail outlets (ROs), where E20 petrol is ultimately delivered to consumers. Under the intensified monitoring programme, more than 160 retail outlet samples have been analysed for chloride content in recent days. The samples recorded chloride levels in the range of 0–3 ppm, contrary to claims of chloride concentrations running into several hundred ppm. The intensified surveillance did, however, identify two isolated instances of elevated chloride levels. The affected supplies were immediately suspended. OMCs subsequently carried out detailed root-cause analyses and implemented appropriate corrective measures before restoring supplies. This approach enables OMCs to quickly isolate deviations and prevent potentially affected fuel from reaching consumers.
Water-Ingress Testing Strengthened at Retail Outlets
Alongside chloride testing, OMCs have stepped up monitoring for possible water ingress into underground storage tanks at retail outlets. Approximately 90,000 retail outlets have commenced mandatory inspection and monitoring of their underground storage tanks. These tanks are being inspected between 8 and 12 times every day as part of the intensified quality-assurance programme. So far, the inspections have not revealed any instances of water ingress.
Multiple Layers of E20 Fuel Quality Assurance
In addition to established quality-control protocols, OMCs have introduced further surveillance measures to strengthen fuel-quality monitoring. These include:
Water-ingress inspections at retail outlets
Density testing conducted 8–12 times daily
Increased chloride testing across the supply chain
Mobile fuel-quality testing laboratories deployed at various locations
Independent validation of test results through fuel laboratories
Root-cause analysis and corrective action wherever deviations are identified
Together, these measures provide multiple layers of quality assurance from the refinery and distillery through to the retail outlet.
Test Results Available on CHT Website
A tabulated summary of the additional testing conducted across the E20 petrol supply chain is available on the official website of the Centre for High Technology (CHT) at www.cht.gov.in. The information will be updated as additional test results become available, providing continued transparency on E20 petrol quality monitoring.
Consumers Can Continue Using E20 Petrol With Confidence
The intensified nationwide testing by OMCs has reaffirmed that E20 petrol supplied through the OMC network conforms to prescribed quality specifications. While isolated deviations can occur within any large and complex supply chain, the strengthened surveillance system enables OMCs to detect, isolate and address such cases promptly. As per the press release, overall, the test results from refineries, distilleries, depots, terminals and retail outlets indicate that E20 petrol quality remains within prescribed limits. OMCs will continue to undertake continuous quality surveillance and take decisive corrective action wherever required. Consumers can therefore continue to use E20 petrol with confidence, supported by robust quality-control systems and intensified monitoring designed to protect fuel quality, vehicle performance and consumer interests at every stage of the supply chain.
