NEW DELHI: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited on Friday said all E20 petrol samples tested across 27 states and Union Territories were found to be within the prescribed ethanol content range of 19-21%.The clarification came amid concerns triggered by a photograph shared during the company’s consumer awareness initiative in Karnataka, which showed an ethanol separation test being conducted at one of its fuel stations.In a statement, BPCL said the quality monitoring exercise was carried out by oil marketing companies in coordination with the Centre for High Technology. The company tested 280 samples as part of the exercise.BPCL said its officers had been conducting demonstrations across Karnataka to address consumer queries about E20 petrol and explain the testing procedure.The test involves mixing 100 ml of E20 Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit (EBMS) with 30 ml of water to separate ethanol from petrol.“The mixture initially appears hazy or milky, which is normal during the process. It takes time for the ethanol-water and petrol layers to separate completely,” the company said.Explaining the photograph that triggered concerns, BPCL said it was inadvertently captured and shared before the separation process was complete, showing an intermediate stage of the test rather than the final reading.“The image therefore reflected an intermediate stage of the test and not the final reading,” BPCL said.The company added that the officer concerned promptly removed the post after realising that it could be misinterpreted. It maintained that the sample tested was within the prescribed specifications.BPCL said the quality of E20 petrol supplied through its retail outlets was monitored through established quality assurance mechanisms in accordance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications under IS 17021.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The company urged consumers and other stakeholders to rely on verified testing procedures and prescribed quality assessment mechanisms while evaluating fuel quality.BPCL operates more than 25,300 fuel stations across the country and has a combined refining capacity of approximately 35.3 million metric tonnes per annum across its Mumbai, Kochi and Bina refineries.The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining fuel quality, transparency and consumer confidence.
