BPCL Says Viral Photo Misleading as Tests Show E20 Within Ethanol Limits
The company says the circulated image captured an incomplete separation test and officials and oil companies are calling for joint verification to restore confidence in E20 fuel quality.
Overview
- Karnataka officials have reported samples they say showed ethanol levels above the 20% E20 target, but state-run oil companies and the Centre say their checks of 893 samples found ethanol in the 19–21% band.
- BPCL explained the viral photograph came from a live demonstration and showed the normal cloudy phase that appears before ethanol and petrol separate fully, and it says the tested sample met Bureau of Indian Standards IS 17021.
- The company said the officer who posted the image removed it after realizing the test had not completed, and BPCL pointed to its own testing of 280 samples as part of the nationwide quality exercise.
- Oil companies and the Centre have questioned Karnataka’s sampling and testing methods and proposed joint, standardized testing so independent teams can reconcile the conflicting results.
- The dispute matters because India is scaling E20 to cut crude imports, lower emissions and boost domestic ethanol makers, and consumers are watching for effects on vehicle performance and fuel reliability while joint testing proceeds.