Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 26 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 26 October 2026.
E20 beside the other petrol grades
MDG 2024 names six BS VI petrol grades: MG, E5, E10, E12, E15 and E20 MDG 7.6. General knowledge, not MDG text: the number is the ethanol share by volume, and E20 goes up to 20 per cent.
| Point | MG, E5, E10, E12, E15 | E20 |
|---|---|---|
| Density at 15°C | 720–775 kg/m³ | 720–775 kg/m³ |
| Standard it is tested to | IS 2796 or IS 17586 | IS 17021 |
| Ethanol content method | IS 2796 (E5, E10), IS 17586 (E12, E15) | IS 17021 |
Clauses: MDG 7.6 for the first two rows, MDG Annexure 7 for the third. Standards are revised, so check the current version of each, or ask your oil company.
MDG has no separate E20 density limit. Your daily work stays the same: the tanker's 15°C reading within ±3.0 kg/m³ of the invoice MDG 1.2(iv), and the morning reading in the register MDG 1.4.1(c). See the density range page and the invoice check.
Water: where E20 needs more care
General knowledge, not MDG text: ethanol mixes with water, so ethanol-blended petrol takes up water more readily than plain petrol, and the water can later separate out. This is what MDG asks of the dealer:
- Every tanker compartment: test for water with a paste suitable for ethanol blends MDG 1.2(vii). See water finding paste.
- Every day: record the water dip, and report any water at once MDG 1.4.1(b).
- After water is removed from an ethanol-blended tank: the ethanol content is checked before release. If it is outside the desired range, sales stop and the controlling office is told MDG 4.3(c). MDG does not give the range or say who checks. See water in the tank.
- The vent pipe: the company fitter's maintenance report has a line on the quality of the silica gel in the vent pipe of an ethanol-blended petrol tank MDG Annexure 6.
The oil company must blend ethanol within the prescribed limits and check its presence before release. The dealer must see that the right quality of blended product is sold MDG 3.1(f).
Questions dealers ask
01E20 petrol kya hai?
General knowledge, not MDG text: the number after E is the share of ethanol blended into the petrol by volume, and E20 goes up to 20 per cent. MDG 2024 lists E20 as one of six BS VI petrol grades, tested to IS 17021 MDG 7.6.
02What is the petrol density after E20 or with ethanol?
MDG gives E20 the same range as the other petrol grades: 720–775 kg/m³ at 15°C MDG 7.6. It gives no separate E20 figure, and no typical reading. The invoice shows the density of your lot MDG 2.2.1(iv); ask your oil company for more.
03What is the difference between E20 petrol and normal petrol?
In MDG: a different standard (IS 17021) and its own distillation limits, with the same density range MDG 7.6. For handling, ethanol-blended petrol needs a suitable water finding paste and an ethanol check after water is removed from a tank MDG 1.2(vii) MDG 4.3(c).
04Does MDG cover E20 petrol problems in vehicles?
No. MDG covers the dealer's side: product quality, water and ethanol checks MDG 3.1(f) MDG 4.3(c). For vehicle questions, ask the vehicle maker or your oil company.
05Does E20 need a different hydrometer or conversion table?
MDG names no separate table or tolerance for E20. The tanker check is ASTM Table 53B and ±3.0 kg/m³ for any product MDG 1.2(iv). If your oil company works differently for E20, follow its instruction.
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
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