OMCs dismiss E20 fuel quality concerns, say nationwide tests find no contamination
New Delhi, Aug 7
Oil Marketing Companies on Friday said extensive nationwide testing has reaffirmed that the quality of ethanol blended motor spirit, or E20 petrol, remains well within prescribed standards, dismissing recent media reports that raised concerns over moisture and chloride contamination.
In a statement, the OMCs said they carried out an additional intensive testing exercise across the entire EBMS supply chain following recent reports on moisture and chloride levels in E20 petrol. The companies said the findings showed no evidence of fuel contamination and confirmed that fuel quality continues to remain consistently within the prescribed limits.
The OMCs said they treat fuel quality as a matter of the highest priority and that any issue which could potentially affect vehicle performance or consumer confidence is addressed promptly through scientific investigation and corrective measures.
According to the companies, the government has prescribed stringent chloride specifications for ethanol used in petrol blending and has established a high-frequency monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance across the supply chain. Chloride levels are monitored at multiple stages, including refineries, distilleries, depots, terminals and retail outlets across the country, ensuring that quality standards are consistently maintained.
The OMCs added that surveillance has been further strengthened through water-ingress and density tests conducted eight to twelve times every day at all retail outlets. In addition, mobile fuel quality testing laboratories have been deployed at various locations, while samples are independently validated through fuel testing laboratories to maintain the highest quality assurance standards.
The companies said the enhanced, multi-layered testing protocols across the supply chain have validated India's fuel quality standards and found no cause for concern.
The OMCs also highlighted that more than 100 additional randomly selected petrol samples collected from refineries across the country were tested for chloride content. The results showed that chloride levels in all samples were at or below 1 part per million (ppm), well within the prescribed specification, reflecting the effectiveness of quality control measures in the country's refining and fuel distribution system.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the transparency, I hope they are also checking the long-term effects on older vehicles. Many two-wheelers and older cars aren't E20 compatible. The government should run a proper awareness campaign so people know what fuel to use. Safety first, yaar!
It's good that they tested 100+ samples and found chloride levels under 1 ppm. But I still have my doubts about moisture in the supply chain, especially in coastal areas with high humidity. Hope the independent labs are truly independent and not just rubber stamps.
Interesting to see India moving so quickly on ethanol blending. We're doing 10% here in the US, and India is already at 20%. The testing regime they describe sounds robust, more than what we have in many states. Impressive commitment to fuel quality.
I just want to know if the prices will come down now that we're using more ethanol. The whole point was to reduce import dependence and save money. If the fuel quality is fine, then pass on the savings to us consumers too! 😊
As someone who works in the auto industry, I can say this is a critical moment. The testing seems thorough, but we need to see data from independent audits, not just OMC statements. Still, the fact that they're doing 8-12 tests daily at outlets is something. Better than before!
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