Ethanol in petrol is more than 20% Sensational allegations made by the Karnataka government

The Karnataka government has made sensational allegations against E20 petrol. Petrol samples of various companies across the state were examined. The state government has alleged that ethanol is above the prescribed 20 per cent. Tests have revealed high levels of ethanol in the petrol supplied by several major oil companies. State Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said the tests were conducted at NABL accredited laboratories.

Rizwan said the tests were conducted as part of the state government's 'Operation Nikhar' campaign. E20 samples of major energy brands have been collected in Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru districts. However, laboratory tests revealed 31.2 per cent ethanol concentration in Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) petrol and 30.5 per cent in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) petrol. The Minister stated that the findings of these findings raise serious concerns on fuel quality, safety of consumer vehicles and regulations related to ethanol blending.

Government of Karnataka has requested M/o Road Transport & Highways and Petroleum & Natural Gas to publicly disclose the ethanol content in petrol. It has demanded strict action against IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and other oil companies for supplying petrol with ethanol concentration beyond the prescribed limits. Fuel quality checks should be conducted at petrol pumps across the state and the details should be made public. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has said that it will continue to conduct inspections and tests across the state and their results will be made public.