Archive · 9 Aug 2026
E20 Petrol Contamination Claims Rejected by Government After Nationwide Tests
Petrol in India is now sometimes mixed with a liquid called ethanol that is made from plants.
This fuel is called E20, and it helps reduce pollution.
Some people worried that E20 petrol was dirty or had water in it, and that it could break cars.
The government and oil companies tested lots of fuel samples and said the fuel was mostly clean, finding only a few rare spots with problems.
A car industry group called SIAM sent a warning about the fuel but then took it back, saying some numbers needed to be double-checked.
A company called HPCL checked underground fuel tanks and said it found no water.
Still, many drivers do not believe the fuel is safe, and some shared angry posts online.
A court in Raipur even ordered a car company to replace a car that got badly damaged after using E20 fuel.
Big leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi are also upset about E20.
They say older cars were not made for this fuel and could be harmed.
The government says lots of vehicles have used E20 without problems, but older cars might use a little more fuel.
The Indian government and three oil marketing companies rejected claims of widespread chloride and moisture contamination in E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol after nationwide testing.
SIAM withdrew an internal communication citing chloride and sulphur concerns, saying some quoted numbers required further authentication.
Tests found chloride levels of 1 ppm or less in over 100 refinery petrol samples and below 3 ppm at distilleries and terminals, though four isolated elevated cases led to suspended supplies.
HPCL said inspections of roughly 90,000 retail outlet storage tanks, checked eight to 12 times daily, found no confirmed water in fuel.
Opposition leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi questioned the E20 rollout, with Kejriwal leading a protest march carrying over two lakh E20 petitions to the Prime Minister's residence.
The government acknowledged that certain older E10-designed vehicles could experience a 3-5% reduction in fuel economy on higher ethanol blends.
- Who
- The Indian government, Petroleum Ministry, oil marketing companies (HPCL, BPCL and others), SIAM, motorists, and opposition leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- A controversy over E20 ethanol-blended petrol, with claims of chloride and moisture contamination that the government and oil companies rejected after nationwide testing.
- When
- The controversy intensified in early August, with SIAM's clarification on August 4, OMC test results announced in an August 8 PIB statement, and a previous July 30 government update.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Concerns that E20 fuel could damage vehicles, especially older ones, due to alleged moisture and elevated chloride levels, amid the ongoing rollout of ethanol blending.
Government, Oil Companies and Industry Body
Motorists and Opposition Leaders
Fuel contamination
Government, Oil Companies and Industry Body
Nationwide OMC testing found chloride at 1 ppm or less in refinery samples and no confirmed water in tanks, so allegations of widespread contamination are unproven.
Motorists and Opposition Leaders
Motorists allege E20 fuel suffers moisture and chloride contamination that damages engines, citing isolated elevated cases, consumer complaints and a Raipur court order linked to engine damage.
Safety for older vehicles
Government, Oil Companies and Industry Body
The government says over 20 crore two-wheelers and three crore petrol cars have run on higher ethanol blends with no verified widespread engine failures, acknowledging only a 3-5% fuel economy drop for older E10 vehicles.
Motorists and Opposition Leaders
Arvind Kejriwal claims nearly 30 crore pre-2023 vehicles were designed for E10 rather than E20, and critics say older fuel systems could suffer corrosion, wear or reduced performance.
SIAM communication withdrawal
Government, Oil Companies and Industry Body
SIAM says its communication was part of routine technical discussions, was withdrawn because some numbers needed authentication, and there was 'no cause for concern.'
Motorists and Opposition Leaders
Social media users allege SIAM was pressured into withdrawing its warning about chloride and sulphur levels in E20 fuel.
- Fuel Type
- E20 - petrol blended with 20% ethanol
- Alleged chloride level
- Up to 500 ppm (not proven by test results)
- Refinery petrol samples
- Chloride of 1 ppm or less in 100+ samples
- Distillery ethanol samples
- Chloride below 3 ppm at 80 distilleries
- Retail sample results
- 0 to 3 ppm across 160 chloride test reports
- Isolated elevated cases
- 4 cases; supplies suspended, corrective measures initiated
- Storage tank inspections
- About 90,000 retail outlets checked 8-12 times daily (HPCL)
- Raipur consumer order
- Replace car or refund Rs 20.50 lakh plus Rs 1 lakh compensation and Rs 10,000 costs