Emails reveal Indian carmakers' fuel contamination worries before public retreat: Reuters
Industry emails show chloride levels far above the government limit as automakers pressed officials to find the source of E20 fuel contamination.
- The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers withdrew a formal complaint about E20 fuel contamination last week, hours after the Indian government publicly assured that ethanol-blended petrol was safe.
- Top automakers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra privately raised concerns about chloride and moisture contamination in E20 fuel, which they alleged could damage vehicles, despite publicly supporting the rollout.
- Data from over 250 fuel samples collected across 18 states revealed chloride levels reaching 570 ppm in Rajasthan and 420 ppm in New Delhi, vastly exceeding the 3 ppm government limit.
- Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday that "rigorous testing" by oil marketing companies found only four contamination cases, while state-run retailers reported "no cause for any alarm."
- Mahindra's senior principal engineer of fluids technology, R. Ramaprabhu, warned in internal emails that organic chloride can spoil engines "within 200 km," with "majority cases reported immediately after fuelling" involving this contaminant.
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A new report on ethanol has surfaced. It claims that companies were concerned about adulteration of E20 fuel, and that company executives were discussing the issue with each other. However, late last month, SIAM sent a complaint to the government, which was later withdrawn. Let's explore the entire matter.
E20 petrol row: Carmakers' internal data flags fuel contamination concerns; complaint later withdrawn
The rollout of E20 petrol has sparked dissatisfaction among motorists, with hundreds claiming the fuel has lowered vehicle mileage, increased wear and tear and even prompted at least one legal challenge.
E20 petrol: Maruti, Tata, Mahindra flagged fuel contamination worries before public retreat
The carmakers’ emails show for the first time how they are privately worried about contaminants in E20, like chloride and moisture, which they say are hurting vehicles, even as they publicly back the government’s rollout of the fuel.
The Straits Times
DawnEmails reveal Indian carmakers' fuel contamination worries before public retreat
NEW DELHI, Aug 13 - Hours after India made public assurances last week that its ethanol-blended petrol was safe, the country's main auto lobby withdrew a complaint about fuel contamination it had sent to the government a week earlier. The group said some figures needed more checks. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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