Karnataka Tests Petrol at 67 Locations After Complaints About Ethanol Blending Above E20
The Karnataka government said on November 8, 2026 that petrol samples had been collected and tested at 67 locations across the state.
The checks followed complaints that petrol was being sold with about 31.5% ethanol, well above the national E20 level (20% ethanol, 80% petrol).
Motorists complained of lower mileage (fewer kilometres per litre), vehicles not covering the expected distance and engines stalling while running.
Inspections covered not only petrol pumps but also the points where ethanol is blended into petrol and where fuel is distributed. Documents on where and how blending was done were also collected.
Earlier test results released by the state showed some samples with up to about 31% ethanol. The state has informed the Union government and asked for action on fuel quality. The state's minister in charge is to release the detailed inspection report.
The Union government has earlier said it has no immediate plan to raise the blending level beyond 20%.
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme is the Government of India's plan to mix ethanol, an alcohol fuel made from sugarcane, grains and other plant material, into petrol. Every litre of ethanol used means less crude oil has to be imported. It also gives farmers and sugar mills an extra market and cuts some pollution. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL do the actual blending at their depots.
The Karnataka complaints are about whether the E20 limit of the EBP Programme is being followed at depots and pumps. If petrol reaching motorists carries far more ethanol than the label says, cars built for E10 or E20 can lose mileage and run poorly, which is what users reported.
Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Technology
A flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) is a vehicle that can run on normal petrol, on pure or nearly pure ethanol, or on any mix of the two. Sensors measure how much ethanol is in the tank, and the engine computer adjusts fuel injection and spark timing to suit. Its fuel pipes, seals and tank use materials that ethanol does not damage. An ordinary car, by contrast, is built and tuned only for a fixed blend such as E10 or E20.
The engine problems reported in Karnataka show why a fixed-blend car struggles when it gets fuel with much more ethanol than it was built for. Only flex-fuel engines can safely handle a changing ethanol share.
- Petrol samples tested at 67 locations in Karnataka (state statement, November 8, 2026)
- Complaint: about 31.5% ethanol in petrol sold as E20
- Notified blend: E20 (20% ethanol), achieved in ESY 2025-26
- Original E20 target: 2030; advanced to ESY 2025-26 by the 2022 amendment to the National Policy on Biofuels
- BIS IS 19850:2026 (May 2026): standards for E22, E25, E27, E30
- Ethanol Supply Year: November to October
- NITI Aayog (2021): E20-tuned vehicles lose about 1–2% mileage
- India's crude import dependence: about 88% (2025-26)