📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Cyzen
Automobile
IOCL petrol sample in Karnataka records 31% ethanol, highest level yet
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 09:43 AM
👁 9
A recent test of Indian Oil Corporation petrol in Karnataka revealed an ethanol blend of 31%, the highest concentration detected in any IOCL sample so far.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) officials confirmed that a petrol sample collected from Karnataka contained 31% ethanol, marking the highest ethanol proportion ever recorded in the company's fuel batches. The sample was part of routine quality checks conducted by the corporation's testing labs, which regularly monitor ethanol blending ratios across the nation.
Ethanol blending in gasoline is mandated by the government to reduce emissions and dependence on pure fossil fuels. While the national target aims for a 20% ethanol blend (E20) in petrol, the Karnataka sample exceeded this benchmark by a significant margin, prompting internal reviews.
IOCL has not disclosed whether the elevated ethanol level resulted from a procedural error, a deliberate test blend, or a supply chain anomaly. The corporation assured regulators and consumers that the fuel will continue to meet safety and performance standards, and that further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the deviation.
The incident arrives as the Indian government pushes for higher ethanol blends to meet climate goals, making the detection of such a high concentration noteworthy for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.
Ethanol blending in gasoline is mandated by the government to reduce emissions and dependence on pure fossil fuels. While the national target aims for a 20% ethanol blend (E20) in petrol, the Karnataka sample exceeded this benchmark by a significant margin, prompting internal reviews.
IOCL has not disclosed whether the elevated ethanol level resulted from a procedural error, a deliberate test blend, or a supply chain anomaly. The corporation assured regulators and consumers that the fuel will continue to meet safety and performance standards, and that further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the deviation.
The incident arrives as the Indian government pushes for higher ethanol blends to meet climate goals, making the detection of such a high concentration noteworthy for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.