Indian Oil launches country’s first reference fuel; to fully meet domestic demand

Reference fuels are required by automobile manufacturers for developing engines and assessing vehicles’ performance to ensure operability in all the global climatic conditions.

State-run Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) on October 26 launched India’s first gasoline and diesel reference fuel, used by automobile manufacturers for testing vehicles.

Launching the reference fuel, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said, production of these specialised fuel by Indian Oil not only reduces India’s dependence on imports but also catapults country’s energy industry to the select global players armed with exclusive competencies.

“This is the first time that India is venturing into the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels. The home-grown development of these products in-line with international benchmarks testifies to the brilliance and relentless hard work of IndianOil,” the minister said.

Reference fuels are required by automobile manufacturers for developing engines and assessing vehicles’ performance to ensure operability in all the global climatic conditions. Currently, these reference fuels are being imported by India from select companies of Europe and the US.

As per the latest SIAM projection, the current demand in the country for gasoline or petrol reference fuel is around 120 KL (kilo litre) per annum and demand for diesel reference fuel is around 15 KL per annum.

Indian Oil said that at present the company can fully meet the domestic demand and also aims to export the fuel in future by ramping up the existing capacity.

“For decades, India has relied on imports to meet the demand for these specialized fuels. These indigenously developed products will replace imports ensuring a reliable supply at lower cost for vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies,” said Indian Oil.

Puri pointed out that the production of these fuels brings India closer to the AtmaNirbhar Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Oil has established facilities for production of gasoline reference fuels, with available grades of E0, E5, E10, E20 and E85, at its Paradip refinery and diesel reference fuel (B7 grade) at Panipat refinery.

The fuels have been tested in NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited refinery laboratories, IndianOil R&D Centre and Intertek (UK and India) laboratories.