Four in Five Karnataka Petrol Pumps Found Selling Excess Ethanol-Blended Fuel

Four in five petrol pumps surveyed in Karnataka, southern India, were reportedly selling fuel with ethanol concentrations above the permitted 20% limit, according to test results cited by a state minister on Friday.

The findings covered petrol stations in Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and other districts. Some samples recorded ethanol concentrations as high as 31.2%.

Of the 14 samples tested, 11 exceeded India’s national E20 standard. An Indian Oil sample recorded 31.2% ethanol, while a Hindustan Petroleum sample contained 30.5%.

Federal Government Disputes Karnataka Test Results

India’s petroleum ministry rejected the state findings on Saturday, saying its own testing showed that fuel supplies remained within the permitted range of 19% to 21%.

The ministry said it had tested 893 samples collected across 27 states and Union Territories, including 56 samples from Karnataka. The state’s samples recorded an average ethanol concentration of 19.30%, according to the federal assessment.

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State-run oil companies, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, also questioned the Karnataka testing process.

They argued that the state’s October sampling did not follow prescribed procedures, lacked company representatives and relied on third-party laboratory certificates that did not provide complete technical details of the gas chromatography method used.

The companies have called for joint and independent testing of the disputed samples. They have also requested full disclosure of the relevant testing records.

India’s E20 Programme Faces Renewed Scrutiny

The dispute comes as India expands its E20 fuel programme, which blends 20% ethanol with petrol.

The government promotes the initiative to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol producers.

However, the Karnataka findings have raised questions about compliance with the national blending standard and the consistency of fuel-testing procedures.

Opposition leaders have described the alleged excess blending as “petrol theft” and demanded greater transparency over actual ethanol concentrations at fuel stations.

Conflicting Results Raise Consumer Confidence Concerns

While the federal government maintains that fuel supplies meet national standards, the significant difference between Karnataka’s findings and the Centre’s test results has intensified calls for independent verification.

The outcome of further testing could help establish whether the disputed samples reflect isolated cases, procedural differences or wider compliance issues within India’s ethanol-blended fuel distribution network.