New Delhi/Alive News: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has questioned the Central government over claims that petrol sold at some fuel stations in Karnataka contains more than the prescribed 20% ethanol.
In a post on X, Rahul said the Karnataka government collected 14 petrol samples from seven districts and tested them at accredited laboratories. According to the test results, 11 samples contained more than 20% ethanol. One Indian Oil sample recorded 31.2%, while a Hindustan Petroleum sample contained 30.5%.
Rahul questioned why action had not been taken against the oil companies. He also raised concerns about reduced mileage, higher maintenance costs and the lack of information for customers.
Meanwhile, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum disputed the test results, claiming that the samples were not collected and tested according to prescribed standards. The companies said their E20 petrol complies with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications.
According to the Karnataka government, excessive ethanol blending could increase fuel costs for vehicle owners through reduced mileage and additional maintenance. The government estimated potential annual losses of ₹62,000 crore due to lower mileage and ₹39,000 crore in additional maintenance expenses.
The controversy has raised questions about fuel quality, testing procedures and transparency for consumers.
