Petrol Dealers Flag E20 Contamination Risk
Petrol pump owners have raised concerns that ethanol-blended petrol may absorb moisture and become contaminated, particularly during the monsoon. Dealers say the issue could expose motorists to engine problems while leaving fuel stations responsible for complaints and repair claims.
Petrol Dealers Raise E20 Moisture Concerns
The Odisha Petroleum Dealers Association said ethanol’s hygroscopic nature allows it to attract water from the surrounding environment. Dealers claim that moisture entering storage systems can affect the stability and quality of ethanol-blended petrol.
If sufficient water enters the fuel, ethanol and water may separate from the petrol through a process known as phase separation. The resulting mixture can cause poor engine performance, difficulty starting vehicles and potential damage to fuel-system components.
Dealers said the risks may be higher in coastal and high-humidity regions during prolonged rainfall.
Fuel Storage and Monitoring Questioned
Petrol pump operators have called for clearer protocols covering underground tank maintenance, moisture testing and the handling of contaminated fuel.
They have also sought greater responsibility from oil marketing companies for infrastructure, dealer training and regular quality inspections. Dealers argue that petrol stations should not be blamed automatically when contamination may have occurred during transportation, storage or blending.
Government Rejects Widespread E20 Claims
The Petroleum Ministry has maintained that water contamination can affect any fuel and is not unique to ethanol-blended petrol. It says modern storage and vehicle systems contain safeguards intended to prevent moisture from entering under normal conditions.
HPCL recently said it conducted 3,651 inspections across its retail network and found no contamination, adulteration or major quality violations. The differing positions have increased calls for independent testing and transparent publication of fuel-quality results.
