Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has taken note of certain media reports that have cited excerpts from a SIAM communication, with specific and selective focus on chloride and sulphur content in fuel. SIAM wishes to clarify the matter and place it in its correct context for the benefit of the public and all stakeholders.
Fuel quality testing under the prevailing regulatory framework is a rigorous and comprehensive process, covering more than 150 parameters and is undertaken by OMCs.
SIAM communication in question was part of routine and ongoing technical deliberations that take place between various stakeholders, including industry bodies, oil marketing companies, auto OEMs and testing agencies.
Some numbers quoted in the communication needs authentication through collection of elaborate data from various regions across the country followed by a comprehensive consultation with our member OEMs.
MoPNG has also instituted 3ppm guidelines for chloride/sulphur as a precautionary measure for all ethanol being blended into petrol supply chain. All of these steps fully meet the needs of the automobile industry. Further, we understand from OMCs that checks have been instituted, including water ingress testing about 8-12 times a day in over 87,000 outlets & after each instance of rain near petrol pumps.
SIAM would like to reassure consumers and the general public that the automobile industry has always been fully supportive of this initiative of the Government of India on E20 which is important from an energy security perspective. There is no cause for concern arising from the matter reported as these issues have been routinely addressed over the past several decades between Auto Industry and OMCs.
The referred numbers reported in the Media need authentication as mentioned above and therefore SIAM is withdrawing its earlier communication.
SIAM requests media and other stakeholders to consider the above aspects, in any further reporting on this subject.