Karnataka Alleges Excess Ethanol in Petrol While Retailers Reject Claims

BENGALURU — A sharp political and institutional dispute has erupted between the Congress government in Karnataka and major fuel retailers over allegations that petrol supplied across the state contains ethanol levels exceeding the permitted 20 percent threshold.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad stated that the state’s consumer affairs department collected 63 petrol samples from locations across seven districts, including Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapura, Ramanagara, Mangaluru, and Tumakuru. According to the Karnataka government, recognized laboratory tests revealed that several samples surpassed the prescribed limit, with certain locations recording ethanol concentrations as high as 31.2 percent, 30.6 percent, and 30.5 percent.

The findings have drawn sharp reactions from national political figures. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned when action would be taken against the oil companies involved if petrol was indeed being blended with ethanol beyond the mandated limits.

The allegations have been rejected by oil marketing companies and the central government. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statement asserting that nationwide testing indicates all petrol samples conform to established standards.

State-run retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) maintained that E20 petrol supplied in Karnataka and across the country strictly complies with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification IS 17021. Indian Oil Corporation stated that it tested 893 samples across 27 states and union territories, including 56 samples from Karnataka, and found ethanol content within the prescribed 19 to 21 percent range.

The dispute centres on vehicle compatibility and potential mechanical damage. Vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are approved specifically for E20 fuel, containing 20 percent ethanol. According to state authorities, elevated ethanol levels can impair vehicle filters, fuel pumps, injectors, pipes, and seals, potentially imposing repair costs on consumers.

In response to the state government’s disclosures, Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL have jointly proposed a transparent, joint investigation with the Karnataka government to clarify the actual condition of the fuel supply.