Reports: Indian carmakers had raised concerns over E20 fuel contamination

Reuters has reviewed internal communication between carmakers have revealed that brands have been concerned about E20 contamination despite publicly supporting government's move.

New Delhi: At the start of the month, many media reports had said the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) had urged the government to introduce mandatory chloride limits in fuel standards following high levels of chloride and moisture found in E20 petrol. SIAM later withdrew the communication, saying some of the figures mentioned required more verification.

The government has been working with the automotive and fuel industry to address concerns surrounding E20 petrol. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have dismissed reports of widespread E20 contamination with nationwide testing. Automakers including Toyota, Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp have publicly supported the ethanol-blending programme.

However, Reuters’ review of internal industry communications suggests that Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra had previously raised concerns privately about possible contamination in E20. The automakers conducted extensive testing after E20 was introduced nationwide, with specific attention to chloride and moisture levels in petrol. The emails reveal that automakers were concerned about........

© News9Live