Karnataka government's claim: Up to 31.2% ethanol in petrol samples, oil companies raise questions on testing process

How the testing was conducted

According to the minister, the Legal Metrology Department collected a total of 63 samples from Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru, and Tumakuru. These samples were collected under the "Mission Nikhara" campaign, which is stated to be aimed at ensuring fuel quality and accuracy of measurement.

Arshad claimed that the samples were first sent to IOCL and BPCL's own laboratories, but their reports did not even record the percentage of ethanol, despite it being a set standard for testing. Following this, the state government re-collected samples according to the rules and sent them to NABL-accredited and ISO-certified laboratories.

How much ethanol in which sample

The results reported by the government are as follows:

• IOCL (MS): 31.2 percent and 20.8 percent
• HPCL (MS-Power): 30.5 percent
• HPCL (MS): 27 percent and 22.4 percent
• BPCL (MS-Speed): 26.5 percent
• Nayara (MS): 26.1 percent and 20.6 percent
• Shell (MS): 25.5 percent
• BPCL (MS): 24.2 percent and 22.6 percent

Some samples were also below 20 percent. 19.9 percent ethanol was recorded in one BPCL sample, 19.2 percent in an MRPL sample, and 13.5 percent in a Shell sample. This means not all samples were above the limit.

Other allegations by the minister

Arshad said that oil companies are making record profits, while the burden of reduced mileage and vehicle repairs is falling on consumers. He also claimed that most dispensing machines at petrol pumps are designed for only up to 15 percent ethanol blending. All these points are claims made by the state government and have not been independently verified.

Demands of the Karnataka government

The state government has placed these demands before the Centre:

• The Union Minister of Road Transport and the Petroleum Minister should publicly clarify how much ethanol-blended petrol is actually being provided to consumers.
• Punitive action should be taken against companies selling petrol with more than 20 percent ethanol.
• A pump-level audit of the ethanol content in petrol being sold in the state should be published.
• A compensation fund should be created for damage caused to vehicles by E20, and payments should be made through a time-bound claim process based on certification from authorized service centers.
• It should be mandatory to display the percentage of ethanol at every pump across the country, and consumers should be given the option to choose their fuel.

The state government has said that it will continue such testing across the state and make the results public.

Stance of oil companies

IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL said in a joint statement that Karnataka's findings are not based on testing conducted under the prescribed procedure. According to the companies, the third-party laboratory whose certificates the state has cited is not a laboratory specified under the Control Order. They also state that the certificates do not contain enough technical detail to independently verify the reported ethanol content. The companies also stated that the E20 petrol being supplied in the state is in accordance with BIS standard IS 17021. The companies have also questioned the sample collection process. Shell, Nayara, and MRPL are also included in the minister's allegations, but the response of these companies has not emerged in the available information.

Status of E20 in the country

Under the directive of the central government, oil companies across the country are to sell petrol blended with up to 20 percent ethanol. This should be in accordance with BIS specifications, which set a minimum Octane Rating (RON) of 95. In April 2026, the Centre stated that there is a tolerance of ±1 percent in BIS standards, which in practice can lead to blending up to 21 percent. The government says there has been no decision to increase blending beyond 20 percent. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has previously stated that E20 petrol does not affect vehicles. No direct response from central ministers to the latest allegations by Karnataka has emerged in the available information.