State-run oil companies confirm E20 petrol meets quality standards after nationwide testing

State-run oil marketing companies in India conducted nationwide testing of E20 petrol to address public concerns regarding potential contamination. The investigation involved analyzing samples from refineries, ethanol distilleries, and retail petrol pumps. Results indicated that chloride levels in petrol samples were at or below one part per million, while ethanol samples from 80 distilleries showed chloride content below three parts per million. The companies also reported that they have increased surveillance at retail outlets, performing water ingress and density tests up to 12 times daily.

The testing was initiated in response to media reports alleging that E20 fuel contained excessive moisture and chloride, which critics claimed could damage vehicles. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statement affirming that the fuel conforms to all prescribed quality specifications. This initiative is part of the broader national rollout of E20 petrol, which aims to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil by blending 20 percent ethanol into gasoline.