E20 petrol row: Indian Oil rejects Karnataka's excess ethanol claims, cites tests across 27 states

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has rejected claims that petrol supplied at certain retail outlets in Karnataka contains ethanol beyond the prescribed limit, saying tests conducted across the country found all samples within the permitted range.

In a post on its official X account, Indian Oil said 893 samples collected across 27 states and Union Territories, including 56 from Karnataka, were tested through prescribed procedures. All were found to contain ethanol within the stipulated 19–21 per cent range.

The company also said Indian Oil, along with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), had sought joint and transparent testing with the Karnataka government to establish the facts.

The response comes amid a controversy over the ethanol content in E20 petrol, following allegations by the Karnataka government that samples collected from several districts had recorded levels exceeding the prescribed limit.

What triggered the E20 petrol controversy?

The issue gained political attention after Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad alleged that tests conducted on fuel samples from seven districts had found ethanol content above 20 per cent.

The samples were collected from Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru. According to test results from Bengaluru-based Shriram Research Institute, an accredited laboratory, samples from IOCL and HPCL recorded ethanol levels of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively.

The Karnataka government sought action against the oil marketing companies, alleging that fuel supplied at certain outlets exceeded the prescribed blending limit.

The three public sector oil marketing companies — IOCL, BPCL and HPCL — disputed the findings, questioning the sampling and testing procedures. They maintained that E20 petrol supplied through their retail networks conforms to the Bureau of Indian Standards' IS 17021 specifications, which prescribe an ethanol content of 19–21 per cent.

Why does India blend ethanol with petrol?

India's ethanol-blending programme is aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil, strengthening domestic agricultural value chains and improving energy security.

The initiative began with a pilot programme in 2001 and was expanded through policy measures, including the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, and the ethanol-blending roadmap prepared by NITI Aayog.

According to Petroleum Ministry data cited by the oil marketing companies, the programme has generated foreign exchange savings of more than Rs 1.97 lakh crore since the 2014-15 ethanol supply year. It has also helped substitute approximately 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 952 lakh metric tonnes.

For the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, which ended on October 31, 2026, the three public sector oil marketing companies procured 1,089 crore litres of ethanol and blended 1,134 crore litres against petrol sales of approximately 5,673 crore litres.