BPCL Clarification: E20 Petrol Completely as per Standards, Ethanol is Just 19.9 Percent

Following claims and allegations regarding excessive ethanol blending in petrol in Karnataka state, a clarification has been issued on this matter by state-run oil companies. According to a report by 'Amar Ujala', state-run oil companies BPCL and HPCL have stated that the quality of E20 petrol is completely correct and appropriate. During testing, it was revealed that the samples contained only 19 to 20 percent ethanol. Clarifying the quality of E20 petrol, BPCL stated, as per the 'Amar Ujala' report, that it contains only 19.9 percent ethanol and this fuel conforms to the prescribed standards.

On the other hand, reports from 'India Today' and 'The Hindu' state that concern was expressed by the Karnataka government because fuel samples showed ethanol content to be up to 31.2 percent, which was much higher than the prescribed E20 limit of 20 percent. Tests collected from seven districts including Bengaluru indicated excessive ethanol blending, which raised serious concerns regarding vehicle safety, maintenance, and mileage. According to 'The Hindu' report, a major controversy erupted regarding ethanol blending in petrol as the Karnataka government claimed that fuel samples collected from several districts showed ethanol levels significantly above India's permitted E20 limit.

In this entire matter, according to reports by 'The Times of India' and 'India Today', the central government has outright rejected the claims of more than 20 percent ethanol blending in Karnataka and stated that it is not supported by tests. The central government has clarified that all ethanol blending in Karnataka's petrol fulfills the E20 specifications prescribed by authorities. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has confirmed that all samples tested in the state comply with quality standards. After the analysis of samples collected from various locations, the reports claiming over-blending were dismissed.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited also rejected these claims and, citing tests conducted in Karnataka and several states, stated that the ethanol level was well within the controlled range. To ensure transparency and resolve this matter, a proposal to conduct joint testing with the state government has also been put forward by major oil companies. Regarding the samples collected from various areas of Karnataka and their results, views have remained different between the state government and the central government as well as oil companies, but the oil companies and the central government have considered this fuel to be completely safe and as per prescribed parameters.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is a leading Indian public sector oil and gas company, engaged in the production and distribution of petrochemicals and fuel. As part of green energy and reducing carbon emissions across the country by the government, the policy of ethanol blending in petrol has been implemented, under which E20 fuel is being produced and sold.