Oil Companies Reject Karnataka Minister's '30% Ethanol' Charge Over E20 Petrol, Question Testing Method

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), the three public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), on Thursday said they have taken note of the press release issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, Government of Karnataka, claiming that "petrol sold at certain retail outlets in the State contains between 26% and 31% ethanol".The three OMCs clarified that the claims, as reported, are "not supported by testing conducted in accordance with the prescribed statutory and technical procedures"."E20 petrol supplied by the three OMCs across the country, including Karnataka, conforms to IS 17021, the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for ethanol-blended motor gasoline," they said.READ | 'E20 Actually Has Over 30% Ethanol': Karnataka Minister Cites Petrol Tests, Demands Consumer Relief Fund"OMCs have raised concerns regarding the sampling procedure and the methodology adopted for the October 2026 exercise.