E20 fuel row: Karnataka rejects oil companies' statement, cites BMW's E30 compatibility concerns

Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad has rejected the joint statement issued by Oil Marketing Companies IOCL, BPCL and HPCL on the state's E20 fuel testing, saying the government stands by its findings. Questioning the compatibility of higher ethanol-blended fuels with ordinary vehicles, particularly those used by middle-class and working-class consumers, Arshad asked whether consumers were being subjected to experiments. Citing BMW's reported position on E30 compatibility, he defended Karnataka's testing methodology and said the government would continue raising questions about ethanol blending. He also accused the BJP and its ecosystem of attempting to discredit those questioning the Centre.