Petrol being sold with over 30% ethanol, way above limit: Karnataka govt
The Karnataka government has alleged that major oil companies are supplying petrol with ethanol concentrations as high as 31%, significantly exceeding the mandated 20% limit. Officials claim this excess blending risks damaging vehicle components and reducing fuel efficiency.
Why it matters
This dispute highlights regulatory challenges in India's green fuel transition and raises consumer protection concerns regarding vehicle maintenance and fuel quality.
NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government on Friday alleged that petrol supplied by major oil marketing companies (OMCs) in the state contained ethanol well above the prescribed 20% limit, with laboratory tests recording levels of up to 31.2%. It sought action against companies found supplying fuel with excess ethanol.Food, civil supplies, consumer affairs and legal metrology minister Rizwan Arshad said petrol samples collected from Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru were tested at Bengaluru-based Shriram Research Institute, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and ISO-certified, news agency PTI reported.The test results showed ethanol content of 31.2% in Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) petrol and 30.5% in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) samples. Other samples recorded 27% in HPCL petrol, 26.5% in BPCL Speed, 26.1% in Nayara and 25.5% in Shell petrol.
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