Karnataka conducted tests on 63 fuel samples across seven districts, uncovering ethanol blend levels reaching up to 31.2% at state-run retail pumps. State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad warned that these elevated concentrations cause vehicular problems even in engines built for E20 mixtures. Arshad urged the federal government to mandate retailer accountability and establish a formal compensation fund for vehicle owners. The findings follow earlier internal warnings from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers regarding fuel contamination and potential engine component damage.
Key points
State authorities launched independent fuel testing after oil marketing companies failed…: State authorities launched independent fuel testing after oil marketing companies failed to provide mandatory blend content details.
Excessive ethanol mixtures threaten to cause mechanical damage even in vehicles specifica…: Excessive ethanol mixtures threaten to cause mechanical damage even in vehicles specifically manufactured for standard E20 blends.
Test findings have intensified scrutiny over India's federal initiative to reduce crude i…: Test findings have intensified scrutiny over India's federal initiative to reduce crude imports and emissions through expanded ethanol blending.
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The findings raise fresh concerns about fuel quality and vehicle compatibility as India expands the use of E20 fuel, or a petrol blend consisting of 20% ethanol, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to reduce crude imports, lower emissions and support domestic ethanol producers.
Karnataka sent 63 samples collected from seven districts to a certified laboratory after oil marketing companies did not respond to the government's request for details on ethanol content, Rizwan Arshad, state minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, said at a press conference.
Ethanol content in some samples was as high as 31.2%, including fuel sold at state-run fuel retailers Indian Oil , Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum , Arshad said.
"Few vehicles are E20 compliant. Even E20-compliant vehicles will also have issues (if ethanol content is more than 20%)."
Arshad, a lawmaker from the opposition Indian National Congress party, also called on the federal government to create a compensation fund for vehicle owners and to hold oil marketing companies accountable for blending beyond mandated limits.
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