Karnataka government-authorised tests of petrol sold at 63 fuel stations have found ethanol levels above the prescribed 20% limit at 14 outlets, including samples recorded at 31.2% and 30.5%, state minister Rizwan Arshad said on Friday.
The samples were collected from petrol bunks supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Nayara, Shell and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL). The findings have raised questions about the fuel blend reaching consumers and the adequacy of information displayed at retail outlets.
According to the results shared by Karnataka’s food and civil supplies and legal metrology minister, some IOCL and HPCL samples contained ethanol levels of 31.2% and 30.5%, respectively. Blending above the prescribed limit was also reported in samples from BPCL, Nayara and Shell outlets.
Arshad said the inspections were conducted across Karnataka under the direction of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. He said the results raised concerns about transparency, regulatory compliance and consumers’ right to know the composition of the fuel they purchase.
The minister clarified that the Karnataka government was not opposed to ethanol blending in petrol. However, he criticised the Centre’s handling of the issue and said consumers were being penalised. The state government has asked the Centre to publicly clarify the actual ethanol blend being supplied and impose penalties on oil marketing companies found supplying petrol above the 20% level.
Karnataka has also sought an E20 spoilage fund to compensate consumers for losses linked to the fuel blend. Its recommendations include mandatory displays at petrol pumps showing the blend level, allowing consumers to identify and choose between available fuel blends.
Arshad estimated that a 10% fall in mileage linked to ethanol blending could cost consumers as much as Rs 62,000 crore. The estimate was based on petrol sales of 6,200 crore litres between April 2025 and April 2026 and fuel prices of Rs 100-110 per litre.
The oil marketing companies have disputed the basis of the state’s findings. IOCL, BPCL and HPCL said E20 petrol supplied across India, including in Karnataka, conforms to the relevant Bureau of Indian Standards specification.
The companies also questioned the sampling and testing process. They said the samples collected in October were taken without representatives of the oil marketing companies present. They added that they had not received outlet-wise reports, retention samples or other details required to verify the findings.
The companies further questioned whether the third-party laboratory used the prescribed testing method. The dispute leaves the final status of the affected samples dependent on clarification of the sampling process, test methodology and outlet-level records.
