High Ethanol in Petrol Samples and the Ethanol Blending Programme

  • November 07, 2026
  • Current Affairs

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High Ethanol in Petrol Samples and the Ethanol Blending Programme

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

Karnataka claims that petrol samples in the state contain up to 31.2% ethanol, far above the 20% (E20) level, and that this causes large consumer losses and raises transparency concerns. The pasted text carries no response from the Centre or the oil companies.

Key findings and claims

  • The Department of Legal Metrology collected samples from various districts. Indian Oil (IOCL) samples showed 31.2% ethanol and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) samples 30.5%.
  • Tests at NABL- and ISO-recognised labs confirmed the higher blends.
  • Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said the oil marketing companies (OMCs) did not disclose ethanol content from their in-house labs.
  • He said 99% of India's 35 crore vehicles are not built for blends above 20%, and that reduced mileage causes consumer loss. The summary line gives a loss of ₹1 lakh crore, while the Minister's estimate is about ₹62,000 crore a year, so check the figure before quoting.

Karnataka's demands

  • Penalise OMCs for over-blending.
  • Set up an E20 spoilage fund to compensate owners for vehicle damage.
  • Make ethanol blend percentage display mandatory at fuel stations, so consumers can choose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources of Bioethanol Production in India

Feedstock

Key Features

Sugarcane Juice and Syrup

Highest sugar content; can be used for both sugar and ethanol production.

B-Heavy Molasses

Intermediate sugar content; used for sugar and ethanol production.

C-Heavy Molasses

Lowest sugar content; a by-product of the sugar industry and used for ethanol production.

Maize

Increasingly used as an alternative feedstock to compensate for restrictions on sugarcane-based ethanol production.

Surplus Rice

Permitted by the government as feedstock in grain-based distilleries.

Damaged Food Grains

Used as raw material in grain-based distilleries for ethanol production.

 

 

Sources of bioethanol

  • Sugarcane: juice, syrup, B-heavy molasses and C-heavy molasses. The government allowed diversion of juice, syrup and B-heavy molasses, but in December 2023 restricted it over fears of falling sugar stocks.
  • Maize: its use has grown to make up for the sugarcane restrictions.
  • Surplus rice and damaged grains: allowed for grain-based distilleries.

Significance of the programme

  1. Energy security: India imports over 88.5% of its crude oil, which leaves it exposed to events like the Russia-Ukraine war or a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
  2. Import substitution: Over ₹1.4 lakh crore was saved in the last decade. E20 is projected to save about $4 billion a year, helping the current account.
  3. Lower emissions: NITI Aayog estimates E20 cuts carbon monoxide by 50% in two-wheelers and 30% in four-wheelers.

Way forward

  • Mandatory display of the ethanol blend at pumps and clear labelling.
  • Independent, transparent testing, with results shared by OMCs and regulators.
  • Offer an ethanol-free or lower-blend petrol option for older vehicles during the transition.
  • A compensation mechanism for proven damage, and vehicle-makers' clarity on compatibility.
  • Diversify feedstock (maize, damaged grains, second-generation sources) without hurting food security.

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