Bengaluru: It has been found that E20 petrol in Karnataka contains as much as 31.2 percent ethanol. The state government has shared this shocking information.
Based on an investigation, the state’s Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs has made this allegation. For this purpose, samples were collected from fuel stations operating in various parts of the state. It has been stated that these include different oil companies.
Officials from the weights and measures department collected around 63 samples and subjected them to testing. It was found that the ethanol blending percentage in the petrol was as high as 31.2%. Initially, explanations were sought from the oil companies that sold the petrol. When no clear response was received from the government side, the matter came to light after these samples were sent to private laboratories.
It was found that the ethanol blending ratio in the collected petrol samples was above 20 percent. Notably, these samples were collected from Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, and Uttara Kannada.
“The collected samples were first sent to IOCL and BPCL laboratories. The analysis results did not clearly specify the ethanol blending ratio. Therefore, doubts arose about its transparency. Questions were raised about what they are trying to hide from consumers.
After this, we sent the same sample to private laboratories accredited by ISO and NABL. In one of the six results issued by a research institution, it was found that the ethanol blending ratio in petrol was more than 20 percent. This affects consumers. The vehicle’s mileage and maintenance costs will increase. The Central Government should provide E20 compensation funds to every affected consumer. The Central Government should give a proper explanation on this.
“Furthermore, it should be ensured that digital displays are installed at fuel stations across the country to inform consumers about the ethanol blending ratio,” said Karnataka Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Rizwan Arshad.
E20 petrol
Petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol and used as vehicle fuel is called E20 petrol.
Experts have said that it will also help reduce pollution and control oil import costs. It is reported that this will save foreign exchange and also strengthen the country’s energy security.
The sale of petrol blended with 1.4 percent ethanol began in 2014. After that, the target was set to introduce petrol blended with 10 percent ethanol in November 2022. However, petrol blended with 10 percent ethanol was introduced even before that. The target was set to introduce petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol in 2030. Nevertheless, the sale of E20 petrol began in India in December last year.
