Karnataka Finds 80 Per Cent of Petrol Samples Above E20 Limit
OIL & GAS

Karnataka Finds 80 Per Cent of Petrol Samples Above E20 Limit

Four in five petrol pumps surveyed in Karnataka were selling fuel containing more than the permitted 20 per cent ethanol, according to Rizwan Arshad, the state’s minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs. The findings have raised questions about compliance with India’s ethanol-blending standards.

The state government sent 63 fuel samples collected from various districts to a certified private laboratory for testing. The decision followed a lack of response from oil marketing companies to a request for details about the ethanol content in the samples, Arshad said.

India’s E20 programme, which blends petrol with 20 per cent ethanol, was accelerated in 2025 as part of efforts to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol producers. The fuel is now sold across the country’s retail network, although opposition parties and vehicle owners have raised concerns about its effect on mileage and compatibility with older vehicles.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. The laboratory findings could increase scrutiny of fuel testing and monitoring at retail outlets, particularly as the government continues to expand ethanol use in transport.

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in June that India would begin a phased rollout of petrol blended with 85 per cent ethanol, known as E85, for flex-fuel vehicles capable of operating with higher ethanol concentrations. However, junior oil minister Suresh Gopi said the following month that the government had no immediate plans to increase the ethanol content in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent level.

Four in five petrol pumps surveyed in Karnataka were selling fuel containing more than the permitted 20 per cent ethanol, according to Rizwan Arshad, the state’s minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs. The findings have raised questions about compliance with India’s ethanol-blending standards. The state government sent 63 fuel samples collected from various districts to a certified private laboratory for testing. The decision followed a lack of response from oil marketing companies to a request for details about the ethanol content in the samples, Arshad said. India’s E20 programme, which blends petrol with 20 per cent ethanol, was accelerated in 2025 as part of efforts to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol producers. The fuel is now sold across the country’s retail network, although opposition parties and vehicle owners have raised concerns about its effect on mileage and compatibility with older vehicles. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. The laboratory findings could increase scrutiny of fuel testing and monitoring at retail outlets, particularly as the government continues to expand ethanol use in transport. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in June that India would begin a phased rollout of petrol blended with 85 per cent ethanol, known as E85, for flex-fuel vehicles capable of operating with higher ethanol concentrations. However, junior oil minister Suresh Gopi said the following month that the government had no immediate plans to increase the ethanol content in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent level.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Prateek Foundation Aakaar celebrates Diwali with children in Noida

Prateek Foundation Aakaar, the community initiative of Prateek Group, organised a Diwali celebration for children at Saikripa, Noida, on 4 November 2026. The one-hour programme brought together members of the foundation and children for an afternoon of creative and recreational activities.The celebration included diya painting, games and interactive sessions, with children designing and decorating diyas. The activities were aimed at encouraging creativity and providing an opportunity for the children to participate in the festive celebrations.Prateek Tiwari, Managing Director, Prateek Group, s..

Next Story
Equipment

Shakti Pumps signs MoU with ISA to expand solar water pumping

Shakti Pumps (India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate the adoption of solar water pumping solutions. The agreement was signed by Ashish Khanna, Director General, ISA, and Ramesh Patidar, Managing Director, Shakti Pumps, alongside the ninth ISA Session at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo (BRES) 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.At the summit, Shakti Pumps showcased its integrated renewable energy portfolio, including solar pumping systems, rooftop solar solutions unde..

Next Story
Real Estate

Worli-Lower Parel gains ground as Mumbai’s commercial hub

Mumbai’s Worli-Lower Parel corridor is gaining prominence as a commercial and luxury residential destination, attracting financial institutions, technology companies and high-net-worth individuals. Infrastructure upgrades, including the Coastal Road and improved transit connectivity, are contributing to the shift in occupier interest from established business districts such as Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Nariman Point.Recent leasing transactions underline the corridor’s growing commercial appeal. At Marathon Futurex in Lower Parel, three financial firms leased a combined 28,976 sq ft at..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code