Keralam Initiates Random Ethanol Testing at Fuel Outlets Following Vehicle Damage Complaints

The government of Keralam has commenced random inspections and sample collections at petrol outlets across four districts following public complaints regarding vehicle damage and growing apprehensions over fuel quality.

According to Keralam Minister Anoop Jacob, the inspections were ordered in response to recent allegations in Karnataka that fuel was being sold with ethanol content exceeding the permissible limit. The food and civil supplies minister stated that the state government has a responsibility to address public concerns.

Samples are currently being collected from various locations across the Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kannur districts. The collected samples will be sent to a government laboratory for testing, with results expected within 10 days, according to the administration.

The state government reiterated that ethanol concentrations exceeding 20 per cent are not permitted in fuel. Authorities warned that any detected violations will result in the immediate sealing of the offending fuel outlet and the initiation of prosecution proceedings against responsible parties. Officials ranging from the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to Taluk Supply Officers are legally empowered to conduct these inspections under a 2014 state notification issued in accordance with central regulations.

The inspections follow developments in neighbouring Karnataka, where authorities alleged that major public sector oil marketing companies were supplying petrol with ethanol levels reaching up to 31.2 per cent, well above the 20 per cent prescribed limit. Karnataka officials reported that these allegations stemmed from tests conducted on samples collected from districts including Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru, and Tumakuru.

In response to the allegations, public sector oil marketing companies have strongly rejected claims that retail outlets are dispensing petrol containing up to 31 per cent ethanol. The firms maintained that the E20 petrol supplied nationwide, including in Karnataka and Keralam, strictly conforms to IS 17021, the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for ethanol-blended motor gasoline. Furthermore, the companies have raised specific concerns regarding the sampling procedures and testing methodologies adopted during the testing exercises.

"The ongoing debate over fuel blending standards and ethanol content highlights the critical need for absolute transparency and standardized testing methodologies between state regulators and oil marketing companies. For businesses, fuel quality and compliance directly impact operational reliability and consumer trust. Resolving these discrepancies through verifiable laboratory testing is essential to maintaining market stability and consumer confidence." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes