New Delhi, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) on Friday rejected concerns over the quality of ethanol-blended E20 petrol, saying extensive nationwide testing found no evidence of moisture or chloride contamination and confirmed that the fuel remains within prescribed standards.
The companies said they undertook an additional intensive testing exercise across the entire ethanol-blended motor spirit (EBMS) supply chain following recent reports questioning moisture and chloride levels in E20 petrol.
According to the OMCs, the tests found fuel quality to be consistently within prescribed limits. They said quality control remains a top priority and that any issue potentially affecting vehicle performance or consumer confidence is promptly examined through scientific testing and corrective measures.
The companies said the government has established stringent specifications for chloride content in ethanol used for petrol blending, along with frequent monitoring at refineries, distilleries, depots, terminals and retail outlets.
Quality surveillance has also been strengthened through water-ingress and density checks conducted eight to 12 times a day at every retail outlet, the OMCs said. Mobile fuel quality testing laboratories have been deployed at various locations, while samples are independently assessed by fuel testing laboratories.
As part of the latest exercise, more than 100 additional randomly selected petrol samples from refineries across the country were tested for chloride content. The OMCs said every sample recorded chloride levels of 1 part per million (ppm) or below, remaining well within the prescribed specification.
The companies said the findings from the expanded, multi-layered testing system reaffirm the effectiveness of quality controls across India’s refining and fuel distribution network.
The OMCs maintained that the latest test results provide no basis for concerns regarding contamination of E20 petrol and said monitoring would continue across the supply chain to maintain fuel quality.
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