Laboratory tests show that the ethanol blend in petrol is as high as 31% in Karnataka.

Petrol sold by several oil majors in Karnataka contained ethanol well above the prescribed 20% level, in some cases as high as 31.2%, the Karnataka government has claimed, raising questions about the transparency of ethanol-laced petrol sold to consumers across the country.

The relevant samples were recently collected by the Department of Legal Metrology under the Ministry of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru and Dakshina Kannada districts, Rizwan Arshad, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Karnataka, said on Friday.

Gasoline samples from major oil marketing companies (OMCs), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), recorded ethanol blend percentages of 31.2% and 30.5%, respectively. The petrol samples of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Nayara and Shell revealed ethanol blends of 26.5%, 26.1% and 25.5% respectively, he said.

Also Read: Excess ethanol in petrol: Keralam starts random checks at pumps after Karnataka finds high levels

‘No transparency’

Mr. Arshad said that the samples were initially submitted to the internal laboratories of IOCL and BPCL. However, he claimed that the test reports issued by these laboratories do not mention the ethanol content of the fuel, even though it is one of the prescribed test parameters. “This raises serious concerns about transparency from the oil majors and what they are hiding from consumers,” he said.

Sample from OMC bunksFuel Ethanol % in samples collectedIOCL Gasoline (Motor Spirit) 31.2, 20.8 HPCLPetrol (MS-Power)30.5HPCL Gasoline (MS)27, 22.4BPCL Gasoline (MS) 24.2, 22.6BPCL Gasoline (2MR – PLara Petrol)26 (MS) 26.1, 20.6 Shell Gasoline (MS) 25.5, 13.5

Source: Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Karnataka

“The Ministry of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Karnataka, later got the same samples tested by laboratories recognized by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These reports revealed mixtures with higher ethanol content,” Mr. Arshad said.

Mr. Arshad provided copies of six laboratory test reports from the Shriram Research Institute, Bengaluru, a unit of the Shriram Tilak Dhar Research Foundation. All six reports reported ethanol blends above the permitted 20%.

Modi’s government has already forced E20 petrol on people, despite serious concerns about reduced mileage, additional fuel expenditure and compatibility with older vehicles. What we uncovered in Karnataka is even more disturbing. Independent laboratory tests by our government found ethanol content of up to 31.2% in gasoline sold by major oil companies, with samples from seven districts exceeding the prescribed limit of 20%. Even the center acknowledged that E20 can reduce fuel consumption in some vehicles. What happens when the ethanol content exceeds 30%? Who will bear the additional fuel costs and risk for vehicle performance? Why should ordinary motorists pay for such breakdowns? And look at the Modi government’s double standards: They claim ethanol blending benefits farmers, but now they have excluded ethanol made from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses from the last tender. At a time when farmers in Karnataka are already suffering from a severe drought, the Center is restricting the important market for sugarcane-based ethanol while allowing the sale of petrol with ethanol content far beyond the prescribed limit. Where is the promised benefit for farmers? Where is the protection of motorists? Isn’t this deceiving both farmers and consumers? PM @narendramodi & Union Minister @nitin_gadkari owe people an explanation. When the Union Government itself has prescribed a 20% blending norm, how does petrol containing more than 30% ethanol reach consumers? Who is watching these oil companies? Where is the responsibility? We will submit the findings of Karnataka to the Union Government. I demand an immediate investigation, strict action against those responsible, transparent disclosure of ethanol content at every petrol pump and necessary consumer protection measures.

—Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) November 6, 2026

Consumers suffer

Mr. Arshad said 99% of India’s more than 35 million vehicles are not made for ethanol blends of more than 20% and the risk is not limited to old vehicles. “Vehicles sold after April 2023 were only certified to E20. With lower ethanol gasoline withdrawn from nearly one million gas stations, consumers have no alternative,” he said.

Assuming a 10% mileage loss at ₹100 per litre, the hidden loss to consumers would be around ₹62,000 crore, based on India’s annual fuel consumption of 6,200 crore litres.

The minister claimed that after factoring in damage and repair costs due to higher mixes, the loss would be around ₹1,000 crore, but did not specify how he arrived at this figure.

“Fine for excessive ethanol blending”

Mr. Arshad demanded that the Union government penalize open coordination methods for “excessive mixing” even as the Karnataka government continues to conduct such tests and make its findings public. “Every gas station in the country should be required to display the ethanol blend percentage, allowing consumers to choose from a range of blends available,” he said.

The minister demanded that the Union government set up an E20 spoilage fund and compensate any consumer whose vehicle has been damaged through a time-bound claim process and damage certified by authorized service centres.

“Before all these steps are taken, the Union government owes an explanation to consumers who have suffered. The Union government, OMCs and vehicle manufacturers are making windfalls at the cost of consumers,” he said.

OMC refutes the report

The three state-owned OMCs refuted the observation that the ethanol blend in petrol is as high as 31% in Karnataka, saying the tests were not conducted as per the prescribed legal and technical procedure.

Citing discrepancies with findings from their own quality monitoring, they urged the state government to share complete sampling documentation, market lab reports and details of the testing methodology adopted and samples for retesting.

“The OMCs remain committed to co-operate with the state government and other competent authorities in conducting joint sampling and testing in accordance with the Control Order and Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024,” it said, adding, “Any deviation found in the prescribed procedure will be dealt with in accordance with the applicable guidelines.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 16:12 IST