Karnataka Alleges Excess Ethanol in Petrol, Seeks Action
Karnataka's government has accused oil companies of selling petrol with ethanol levels significantly exceeding the 20% limit, demanding investigations and consumer compensation.
The Cliff News | 6 November 2026
The Karnataka government has lodged a serious accusation against major oil marketing companies (OMCs), alleging that petrol supplied across the state contains ethanol far exceeding the legally prescribed 20% limit. Laboratory tests commissioned by the state have revealed ethanol content reaching as high as 31.2% in some samples.
The state government is now demanding stringent action against the OMCs found to be in violation and is seeking compensation for consumers who may have been affected by the alleged excess blending.
Laboratory Findings Raise Concerns
According to Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad, petrol samples were collected from seven districts: Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru, and Tumakuru. These samples underwent testing at the Shriram Research Institute in Bengaluru, an institution accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and certified by ISO standards.
The test results, reported by news agency PTI, indicated significant deviations from the permissible blend. Samples from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) showed ethanol content at 31.2%, while Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) samples recorded 30.5%. Other OMCs also registered high levels, with HPCL petrol at 27%, BPCL Speed at 26.5%, Nayara at 26.1%, and Shell at 25.5%. Several other samples from BPCL, HPCL, and IOCL also showed levels above 20%, with some ranging between 13.5% and 20.6%.
Questions on Transparency and Vehicle Impact
The Karnataka government further alleged that in-house laboratory reports from IOCL and BPCL failed to disclose the ethanol content, despite it being a mandatory testing parameter. This omission, the state contends, raises significant questions about the transparency of these companies and what information they might be withholding from consumers.
The government's concerns extend to the potential damage to vehicles. It stated that excess ethanol blending could lead to reduced vehicle mileage and damage critical components such as fuel pumps, injectors, filters, hoses, and seals. With an estimated 99% of India's 35 crore vehicles not designed to operate on blends exceeding E20, the potential for widespread issues is a major point of contention.
Demands for Action and Consumer Protection
In light of these findings, the state government has put forth a series of demands. These include taking decisive action against the OMCs responsible for supplying fuel with excess ethanol, establishing a mechanism for compensating affected consumers, mandating the clear display of ethanol blend percentages at all petrol pumps, and implementing a nationwide system that offers consumers a choice of different fuel blends.
Additionally, the government called for the creation of an E20 spoilage fund, specifically designed to compensate consumers for any verified vehicle damage directly attributable to the use of fuel with excess ethanol content.