The Karnataka government has tested petrol samples from 67 locations across the state.
The move follows complaints that higher ethanol in petrol is hurting vehicle engines.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar spoke to reporters on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
He said the government has taken these complaints very seriously.
Key points
- Petrol samples were collected and tested at 67 locations in Karnataka.
- The complaints are about petrol with 31.5 per cent ethanol blended in.
- Thousands of motorists say their mileage has dropped and engines stall.
- The state minister will hold a press conference on Monday.
What are drivers complaining about?
Shivakumar said thousands of motorists have raised several problems.
They include lower vehicle mileage and failure to cover expected distances.
Some drivers also say their engines stall while the vehicle is moving.
The Chief Minister said the government has passed these concerns on to the concerned minister.
What did the inspection cover?
According to the Chief Minister, teams did not only check petrol pumps.
They also inspected the stages of ethanol blending and distribution.
Documents about where and how the blending was being done have also been collected.
The test results have not been shared publicly yet.
So what happens next?
The concerned minister will hold a press conference on Monday.
He will share the inspection report and the next course of action.
Shivakumar also said the state has sent information to the central government.
He said the Centre cannot avoid responsibility on this matter.
He also said it is not right to raise the blending ratio just to profit from cheaper ethanol.
He questioned why leaders of the BJP and JD(S), including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, have not spoken on the issue.
Explainer
What happened before
- Thousands of motorists have complained about lower mileage, shortfall in expected distance and engines stalling while driving.
- Inspections were carried out at petrol pumps and at the ethanol blending and distribution stages.
Why it matters
The Chief Minister said vehicle performance, fuel quality and public safety are important, and the Centre must take responsibility.
What to watch next
- The concerned minister will hold a press conference on Monday to share the inspection report and the next course of action.
