Nearly 4 in 5 petrol pumps surveyed in India's Karnataka sold over-blended E20 fuel, minister says
- On Friday, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad released test results showing petrol sold at Karnataka fuel stations contains ethanol levels exceeding the 20% limit, with samples reaching as high as 31.2%.
- Arshad initiated testing after receiving complaints from motorists about reduced mileage and frequent repairs, collecting 63 samples from Indian Oil Corporation Limited , Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited , and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited after companies failed to disclose ethanol percentages.
- Nearly 99% of India's 35 crore vehicles are not built to handle ethanol blends above 20%, and Arshad estimated consumers face an annual financial burden of nearly Rs 1.01 lakh crore due to reduced mileage and vehicle repairs.
- Arshad demanded the Union government and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri explain the over-blending, though Puri previously dismissed E20 fuel concerns as a "contrived narrative" with no plans to raise blending levels.
- Several dispensing units installed at petrol pumps are designed for ethanol blends of only up to 15%, prompting officials to plan a public online dashboard detailing compliance and calibration status of over 5,900 fuel stations.
33 Articles
33 Articles
'E20 Actually Has Over 30% Ethanol': Karnataka Minister Cites Petrol Tests, Demands Consumer Relief Fund
Announcing test results in Bengaluru, Karnataka's Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said the department had collected 63 petrol samples from across the state, and these showed up to 31.2 per cent ethanol as opposed to the declared 20 per cent.
Samples in Karnataka show over 30 pc ethanol in E20 fuel: Minister
Bengaluru: Congress minister Rizwan Arshad has alleged that petrol samples collected from seven districts in Karnataka contained ethanol in excess of the prescribed 20 percent blend, raising concerns over fuel quality, vehicle performance and consumer rights. Citing test results, Arshad claimed that samples collected from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited … Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City …
Karnataka finds up to 31.2% ethanol in E20 petrol, seeks consumer compensation
Karnataka said independent tests showed petrol samples exceeding the mandated ethanol blend. The findings prompted demands for consumer compensation over alleged mileage and maintenance losses.
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