Karnataka finds up to 31.2% ethanol in E20 petrol, seeks compensation for motorists

The Karnataka government on Friday alleged that petrol supplied by major oil marketing companies contained ethanol concentrations as high as 31.2 per cent, substantially exceeding the prescribed E20 blending benchmark of 20 per cent, and demanded compensation for motorists who may have suffered losses due to reduced mileage and vehicle maintenance costs.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said the findings emerged from laboratory tests conducted on petrol samples collected across the state. The government had collected 63 samples from different fuel retailers, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Nayara Energy and Shell.

The findings raised concerns over compliance with ethanol-blending standards and the potential impact of higher ethanol concentrations on vehicles not designed to operate with such fuel.

𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝟯𝟬%

According to the state government, independent laboratory tests found ethanol content of 31.2 per cent in an IOCL petrol sample and 30.5 per cent in HPCL's premium petrol.

Other samples recorded concentrations of 26.5 per cent in BPCL's Speed petrol, 26.1 per cent in Nayara Energy petrol and 25.5 per cent in Shell petrol.

The tests also detected variations within products sold by the same companies. An HPCL regular petrol sample contained 27 per cent ethanol, while other samples from BPCL and IOCL recorded concentrations ranging from slightly above 20 per cent to more than 24 per cent.

Of the 14 samples detailed in the independent test results, 11 contained ethanol above the 20 per cent benchmark.

Samples were collected from seven districts, including Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru.

𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀' 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱

The Karnataka government said the samples had initially been submitted to laboratories operated by oil marketing companies, along with requests for information about their ethanol content.

However, the government alleged that the laboratory reports failed to disclose the ethanol percentages despite the information being specifically sought.

The samples were subsequently subjected to independent testing at Bengaluru's Shriram Research Institute, an accredited laboratory.

The government said the results revealed significant variations in ethanol blending and raised questions about transparency in the supply of petrol to consumers.

Arshad sought accountability from oil marketing companies found supplying fuel containing ethanol above the prescribed benchmark.

𝗥𝘀 𝟭.𝟬𝟭 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗵 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗱

The state government warned that excessive ethanol blending could adversely affect fuel efficiency and damage vehicle components, particularly in older vehicles not designed for higher ethanol concentrations.

It estimated that a 10 per cent reduction in mileage could translate into an annual financial burden of approximately Rs 62,000 crore for motorists nationwide.

The government also estimated additional vehicle servicing and maintenance costs of Rs 39,000 crore annually, taking its projected combined burden to nearly Rs 1.01 lakh crore.

These figures were government estimates based on assumptions about fuel consumption, mileage losses and repair costs, rather than independently established losses arising from the tested samples.

Arshad argued that motorists should not be required to bear the financial consequences of fuel supplied with ethanol concentrations exceeding the declared standard.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱

The Karnataka government urged the Centre to establish an E20-related compensation fund for vehicle owners who experience damage attributable to excessive ethanol blending.

It proposed that compensation be provided where vehicle damage is certified by authorised service centres.

The state also demanded that petrol pumps across the country prominently display the actual ethanol percentage in the fuel being sold, allowing consumers to make informed choices.

It called for action against oil marketing companies found violating the prescribed blending standard and sought clarification from the Union government on the ethanol concentrations being supplied to motorists.

The government said it would continue collecting and testing fuel samples and make the findings public.

𝗘𝟮𝟬 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

India's E20 programme promotes petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol production.

However, concerns have been raised over the compatibility of older vehicles with higher ethanol blends and the potential impact on fuel efficiency and engine components.

The Union government has previously maintained that the ethanol-blending programme is scientifically validated and monitored, while disputing claims of widespread vehicle damage.

The latest Karnataka findings concern specific samples collected from selected locations and do not, by themselves, establish the ethanol concentration of petrol sold across the country.

The oil marketing companies and the Union petroleum ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the allegations.

The state government's findings have brought renewed attention to fuel-quality monitoring, transparency in ethanol blending and consumer protection under India's expanding E20 programme.