BPCL says E20 petrol sample photo was a mid-test image; 893 samples found within ethanol limit

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has clarified the ethanol content in E20 petrol, amid posts and reports circulating on social media. The company said a photograph taken during a petrol quality check had caused a misunderstanding. According to the company, the sample met the prescribed quality standards once the test was completed.

As part of a customer awareness campaign in Karnataka, BPCL officials are demonstrating a test to separate ethanol from E20 petrol at various energy stations. In the test, 30 ml of water is added to 100 ml of E20 ethanol-blended motor spirit, which separates the ethanol and the petrol. At the start of the test, the mixture looks somewhat cloudy or milky. This is normal, as the ethanol-water and petrol layers take some time to form separately.

In the incident now being discussed, the photograph was taken before the separation was complete and it spread on social media. As a result, the final outcome of the test was not seen, only the intermediate stage. To avoid any misunderstanding, the official concerned immediately removed the post. BPCL said the sample was found to meet the prescribed quality after the test was completed.

The company said the quality of E20 petrol supplied from retail outlets is monitored regularly. The quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under IS 17021 are followed.

Meanwhile, oil marketing companies are running a quality check campaign in coordination with the Centre for High Technology (CHT). So far, 893 samples of E20 petrol from 27 states and Union Territories have been tested under the campaign. The company claims the ethanol content in all these samples was within the prescribed range of 19 to 21 per cent. These include 280 samples that BPCL tested itself.

BPCL said it is committed to fuel quality, transparency in operations and customer trust. The company has appealed to customers to give weight only to results from the prescribed testing procedure and to reports from official quality testing agencies.