Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) launched India’s first gasoline and diesel reference fuel, used by automobile manufacturers for testing vehicles. The ceremony was held in the presence of Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

The production of these specialised fuel by IOCL would reduce India’s dependence on imports as well as catapult the country’s energy industry to the select global players armed with exclusive competencies. This is likely the first time that India is venturing into the production of reference gasoline and diesel fuels.

The home-grown development of these products aligns with international benchmarks testifies IOCL’s efforts. Presently, the company can fully meet the domestic demand and also seeks to export the fuel in future by ramping up the existing capacity. The production of these fuels is expected to bring India closer to the AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative.

IOCL 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.

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