Petrol pump dealers across India are demanding clear testing guidelines and specialised equipment to verify the quality and ethanol content of ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) amid a government crackdown on the sale of non-compliant fuel.
The demand comes after the Petroleum Ministry directed state governments to coordinate with enforcement agencies, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and testing laboratories to detect and prevent fuel adulteration.
Dealers said that while existing Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) require them to check the quality of petrol and diesel received from depots, their testing capacity is limited. They can generally check fuel density but lack equipment to determine the exact percentage of ethanol in the blend.
“We have resources only to check density. We have no clue about the exact percentage of doping of fuel,” said Monty Sehgal, spokesperson for the Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Punjab.
Dealers also expressed concern that the government’s July 8 directive could expose them to harassment and alleged rent-seeking by officials, despite the fact that they sell fuel supplied by OMCs. They argued that dealers should not be held responsible for problems related to ethanol blending at the supply stage without proper standard operating procedures, scientific guidelines and testing equipment.
The issue has gained attention amid complaints from some vehicle owners that ethanol-blended petrol may damage engines. The government has denied that EBP is responsible for such damage, while the current 20% ethanol-blended petrol is primarily compatible with vehicles manufactured after 2023.
The government has also said that supplying lower ethanol blends such as E5 or E10 alongside E20 is not feasible because of logistical challenges.
The Petroleum Ministry’s July 8 letter directed state authorities to ensure coordinated inspections, fuel sampling and surprise checks by district administrations and departments including civil supplies, police and legal metrology.
Dealers in several states, including Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, have raised similar concerns. Meanwhile, executives of state-run OMCs said on condition of anonymity that quality-control measures had been intensified.
The dispute has highlighted the growing need for a uniform testing system and clear accountability framework as India expands its ethanol-blending programme.
