'E20 turns into 420': Rahul Gandhi targets Centre over alleged excess Ethanol in Petrol

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday questioned the Centre over allegations that petrol sold in several districts of Karnataka contained ethanol levels exceeding the prescribed 20 per cent limit, demanding action against oil companies if the claims were established.

In a post on X, the Congress leader cited laboratory tests of petrol samples collected by the Karnataka government from seven districts, claiming that 11 of the 14 samples tested had ethanol content above the permitted limit.

"E20 turns into '420' (a scam), Petrol theft from the public's vehicles! The Modi government claims that petrol contains 20% ethanol. The Karnataka government collected petrol samples from 7 districts and had them tested at an accredited laboratory," he said.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that samples from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) recorded ethanol levels of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively. He alleged that samples from both public and private oil companies, including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Nayara and Shell, also exceeded the prescribed limit.

"Furthermore, the companies' own internal labs did not even report the ethanol content," he alleged.

Raising concerns over the impact on motorists, Rahul Gandhi said higher ethanol content could reduce fuel efficiency and increase vehicle maintenance costs.

"In short: you are paying for expensive petrol, but your tank is being filled with ethanol. Who suffers the loss? You do...Your vehicle is not designed to handle such high levels of ethanol, this leads to reduced mileage and frequent trips to the mechanic. Your prized vehicle is being ruined," he said.

He also questioned why petrol pumps did not display information about the actual ethanol content in the fuel, alleging that consumers had no choice in the matter.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi sought clarity on the ethanol levels in petrol supplied across the country and asked when action would be taken against companies allegedly exceeding the 20 per cent limit.

"Modi ji, tell us, what exactly is being poured into the nation's fuel tanks? How much ethanol is truly in the petrol? When will action be taken against the companies that are adulterating fuel beyond the 20% limit?" he said.

The Congress leader also reiterated his challenge to the Prime Minister for a debate, suggesting that the E20 issue be added to the list of subjects for discussion.

"And the challenge for a debate still stands. Let's add this issue to the list: who is actually benefiting from your policies?" he added.

Oil companies reject Karnataka's findings

Rahul Gandhi's remarks came a day after the three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, responded to a press release issued by Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology.

The state department had claimed that petrol sold at certain retail outlets contained between 26 per cent and 31 per cent ethanol.

However, the three companies rejected the reported findings, saying the claims were not supported by tests conducted in accordance with prescribed statutory and technical procedures.

"E20 petrol supplied by the three OMCs across the country, including Karnataka, conforms to IS 17021, the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for ethanol-blended motor gasoline," they said in an official statement.

The companies also questioned the sampling procedure and testing methodology used in the October 2026 exercise.

Citing the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, along with the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) 2024, the OMCs said the rules lay down a specific process for collecting, retaining and testing fuel samples and communicating the results.

Under the prescribed procedure, six one-litre samples must be collected. Two are to be handed over to the dealer against acknowledgement, two retained by the oil company or the department concerned, and the remaining two sent to a laboratory specified under Schedule III of the Control Order or notified in the Official Gazette.

The companies said sample labels must be jointly signed, while test results must be communicated to the dealer and the oil company within the stipulated timeframe.

They have asked the Karnataka government to share the complete sampling records, outlet-wise laboratory reports and details of the testing methods used.

The OMCs have also sought access to the counterpart samples for independent testing at an authorised laboratory using the prescribed referee method, in the presence of representatives of the state government and the companies.

Karnataka minister seeks immediate probe

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara also questioned the Centre over the alleged excess ethanol content, asking who was protecting consumers.

In a post on X, Parameshwara raised concerns about vehicle safety, fuel efficiency and consumer rights, calling for an immediate investigation into the reported findings.

He also sought explanations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari over the alleged violations, which, if confirmed, would mean ethanol levels significantly above the mandated E20 blend.

(With ANI inputs)