Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad commissioned the independent testing of 63 fuel samples across multiple districts when marketing companies withheld blend information. The results emerge amid broader resistance from vehicle owners and opposition figures who worry that ethanol-heavy mixtures harm older engines and reduce fuel efficiency. Although India fast-tracked the E20 initiative in 2025 to curb costly crude imports and bolster domestic producers, central leadership remains divided on subsequent blending targets.
Key points
The majority of inspected Karnataka retail outlets distributed fuel with ethanol concentr…: The majority of inspected Karnataka retail outlets distributed fuel with ethanol concentrations exceeding standard limits.
Motorists and political critics continue to raise alarms regarding engine compatibility i…: Motorists and political critics continue to raise alarms regarding engine compatibility in older vehicles and lower overall mileage.
Central ministers have offered conflicting messages regarding whether national gasoline e…: Central ministers have offered conflicting messages regarding whether national gasoline ethanol blending targets will ever surpass 20 percent.
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India accelerated the rollout of E20 petrol in 2025 as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to cut crude imports, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol producers.
Rizwan Arshad, Karnataka's minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, said the state had sent 63 fuel samples collected from various districts to a certified private laboratory for testing after oil marketing companies did not respond to its request for details on the ethanol content in the samples.
India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The fuel, now sold across India's fuel retail network, has drawn criticism from opposition parties and vehicle owners over its potential impact on mileage and compatibility with older vehicles.
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in June that India would start rolling out gasoline blended with 85% ethanol (E85) in a phased manner. E85 fuel is intended for flex-fuel vehicles, which can operate on gasoline blended with high amounts of ethanol.
However, a month later junior oil minister Suresh Gopi said the government had no plans…
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