State oil firms say E20 petrol meets quality limits

State-run oil marketing companies have announced that extensive nationwide testing has found no evidence of widespread chloride contamination or moisture in E20 petrol, asserting that the fuel's quality remains within prescribed limits. The announcement, made on August 7, 2026, by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, comes in response to recent concerns over the new fuel blend's quality.

The companies stated that over 100 random petrol samples from refineries showed chloride levels at or below one part per million (ppm). Testing of ethanol, the primary blending component, also showed robust results. A dedicated task force with members from the oil companies and the Centre for High Technology checked samples from 80 distilleries over the preceding 10 days, finding chloride content consistently below 3 ppm. More than 160 samples analyzed under an intensified monitoring program in recent days showed chloride levels ranging from zero to 3 ppm.

Officials said the surveillance system identified only isolated instances of elevated chloride levels. Sources differ on the exact number, with some statements citing two cases...