BENGALURU: A controversy has emerged over the ethanol content in petrol after the Karnataka government reported that laboratory tests found ethanol levels exceeding the prescribed E20 blending limit in samples collected from several districts.
Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad announced on November 6 that laboratory testing conducted by Bengaluru based Shriram Research Institute detected ethanol concentrations ranging from 25.5% to 31.2% in samples associated with different oil companies.
According to the findings presented by the Karnataka government, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) samples recorded 31.2% ethanol, followed by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) at 30.5% and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at 26.5%. Samples associated with Nayara Energy and Shell reportedly recorded 26.1% and 25.5%, respectively.
The state government reportedly collected 63 petrol samples from seven districts and raised concerns about compliance with the E20 fuel blending standard, which allows petrol to contain up to 20% ethanol.
Oil Companies Challenge Karnataka’s Findings
- The findings prompted a response from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the public sector oil marketing companies.
- In its statement issued on November 7, the Ministry said that 56 samples tested through the oil companies’ quality-monitoring exercise in Karnataka contained ethanol levels between 19% and 20%.
- The Ministry also cited a separate nationwide testing exercise covering 893 petrol samples across 27 States and Union Territories. According to the Ministry, all tested samples were within the prescribed ethanol range of 19% to 21%.
- IOCL, BPCL and HPCL also questioned the testing procedures followed in Karnataka and called for joint sampling and independent verification to resolve the differences between the reported results.
Why E20 Fuel Quality Matters
- India has been promoting ethanol blending in petrol as part of its efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, support domestic agricultural producers and lower carbon emissions.
- However, ethanol has a lower energy content per litre than conventional petrol. Consequently, higher ethanol concentrations can affect vehicle fuel efficiency, although the actual impact depends on the vehicle’s engine design, compatibility and driving conditions.
- The controversy has therefore raised questions about fuel quality monitoring, transparency in ethanol blending and consumer protection.
Demand for Independent Investigation
- The conflicting findings have increased calls for transparent and independent laboratory testing to establish whether petrol supplied at certain fuel stations exceeded the prescribed ethanol blending limit.
- A joint investigation could help determine whether the differences resulted from sampling methods, testing procedures, fuel storage or actual variations in ethanol content.
- For consumers, the key concern is whether the petrol sold at fuel stations meets the applicable quality standards and whether appropriate action will be taken if any violations are established.
- The matter has also highlighted the need for consistent fuel quality monitoring across the country and greater transparency in reporting test results.
The final findings of an independent verification exercise will be important in determining whether the alleged excess ethanol blending represents a violation of fuel quality standards.
