New Delhi, Nov 7:
Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs)—Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)—have strongly contested claims made by the Karnataka government alleging that petrol sold at certain retail outlets in the state contains 26% to 31% ethanol. The OMCs affirmed that all E20 motor gasoline supplied across the country strictly conforms to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 17021 norms.
Questioning the sampling and testing methods adopted in the October 2026 exercise by Karnataka’s Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, the OMCs stated that the inspections bypassed mandatory statutory protocols stipulated under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Control Order, 2005, and Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) 2024. The companies noted that samples were drawn without the presence of OMC representatives, retention counterpart samples were withheld, and test certificates failed to disclose standard test methods, dilution procedures, or reference calibration materials. Furthermore, the reported density levels of 0.742 to 0.749 g/cc contradicted the higher blend densities typical of elevated ethanol levels.
Reaffirming fuel quality, the OMCs highlighted that under the Quality Coordination Cell monitoring by the Centre for High Technology, all 893 E20 samples tested across 27 States and Union Territories—including 56 samples from Karnataka—strictly met the prescribed 19% to 21% ethanol range, with Karnataka averaging 19.30%. The OMCs also dismissed speculative projections of Rs 1.01 lakh crore in cumulative consumer mileage loss and vehicle repairs, pointing out that over 34 crore two- and four-wheelers have operated smoothly on E20 fuel for over three years. Seeking transparency, the OMCs have urged the Karnataka government to share complete documentation and provide counterpart samples for joint verification at an authorized laboratory.