BENGALURU: Karnataka govt-authorised lab tests of E20 blend have found “excess” mixing of ethanol by more than 10% per litre of petrol in several samples.On Friday, state food and civil supplies and legal metrology minister Rizwan Arshad shared the results for samples collected from 63 petrol bunks across Karnataka.The samples included fuel from IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Nayara, Shell and MRPL facilities. Tests of samples from 14 of the bunks found ethanol levels above the prescribed limit.
The results revealed ethanol blending of 31.2% and 30.5% at some IOCL and HPCL petrol bunks, respectively, which were way beyond the stipulated 20%. Blending at some BPCL, Nayara, and Shell bunks was also found to be beyond the prescribed limit.The minister claimed that an estimated 10% drop in mileage due to ethanol blending would cost consumers as much as Rs 62,000 crore, based on petrol sales of 6,200 crore litres between April 2025 and April 2026 at Rs 100-110 per litre.Arshad said under the directives of chief minister DK Shivakumar, his department conducted the inspections across Karnataka. “The results have raised serious concerns over transparency, regulatory compliance, and consumers’ right to know what goes in the fuel [they’re using],” Arshad added.He further clarified that neither he nor Karnataka govt was against blending of ethanol in petrol. “However, I am against the handling of the entire issue by central govt and the way people are being penalised,” he added.In its recommendation, Karnataka govt demanded that the Centre publicly clarify the “actual ethanol blend” being supplied to consumers, and penalties be imposed on all OMCs supplying petrol above 20% ethanol blend. It has also pressed for E20 spoilage fund to compensate every consumer for the loss incurred.The state govt has sought mandatory blend displays at fuel pumps across the nation to allow consumers to choose between the range of blends available.
OMCs question sampling and testing methods
IOCL, BPCL and HPCL said Friday E20 petrol supplied by them across India, including in Karnataka, conforms to the Bureau of Indian Standards specification. The three public sector Oil Marketing Companies also raised concerns about the sampling procedure and methodology adopted for the tests.They said the Oct samples were collected without OMC representatives and that the companies had not received outlet-wise reports, retention samples or details needed to verify the results. They also questioned whether the third-party lab used the prescribed testing method.
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