WORKING PAPER 2020-16

© 2020 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON CLEAN TRANSPORTATION

JULY 2020

Gasoline and diesel fuel quality

survey for India: Part 1
Authors: Bharadwaj Sathiamoorthy, and Anup Bandivadekar
Keywords: Fuel quality, BS VI, vehicle emissions, fuel standards, India

Background
India has officially transitioned to Bharat Stage (BS) VI vehicle emission standards.
The BS VI regulation, effective as of April 1, 2020, contains new fuel specifications and
standards for commercial gasoline and diesel to support the advanced emission control
technologies that automakers are incorporating in BS VI vehicles. As in many other
regions, Indian fuel quality standards have historically been implemented to complement
vehicle emission standards, and the standards have gradually gotten stricter over the
last two decades. Indeed, since the introduction of unleaded gasoline in 2001, fuel
quality in India has come a long way. When BS IV fuel quality standards went into effect
in April 2017, fuel sulfur levels in both gasoline and diesel were limited to 50 parts per
million (ppm) nationwide.

The BS VI regulation further reduces the diesel and gasoline sulfur content to 10
ppm; this is to enable optimal functioning of advanced emission control systems like
diesel particulate filters, selective catalytic reduction systems, and lean-NOx traps. In
addition to sulfur, BS VI fuel quality standards also improve upon some of the other fuel
quality characteristics shown in Table 1 (Bureau of Indian Standards [BIS]–Diesel, 2017;
BIS–Gasoline, 2017). While some parameters, like octane number, olefin content, and fuel
density in gasoline, and cetane number in diesel, do not directly impact exhaust pollutant
emissions, they have an effect on the engine’s thermal efficiency. Other parameters, like
ethanol content in gasoline and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in diesel, have a
direct effect on exhaust emissions (Dallmann & Bandivadekar, 2016).

www.theicct.org

communications@theicct.org

twitter @theicct
Table 1. BS IV and BS VI fuel standards

Characteristics Unit Bharat Stage IV Bharat Stage VI

Gasoline
2010 (selected cities);
Implementation date 2020
2017 (nationwide)
kilograms (kg)/
Density 15°C 720–775 720–775
cubic meter (m3)
Research octane number (RON) minimum 91/95a 91/95a
Anti-knock index (AKI) or motor octane number (MON) minimum 81/85 81/85
Sulfur, max ppm 50 10
Lead, max grams (g)/liter (L) 0.005 0.005
Benzene, max % volume 1.0 1.0
Aromatics, max % volume 35 35
Olefin, max % volume 21/18a 21/18a
Oxygen content, max  % mass 2.7 2.7
Reid vapor pressure (RVP) @ 37.8ºC, max kilopascal (kPa) 60 60
Diesel
2010 (selected cities),
Implementation date 2020(nationwide)
2017 (nationwide)
Ash, max  % mass 0.01 0.01
Carbon residue (Ramsbottom) on 10% residue, max b  % mass 0.3 0.3
Cetane number (CN), min — 51 51
Cetane index (CI), min — 46 46
Distillation 95% vol. recovery at °C, max °C 360 370
Flash point Abel, min °C 35 35
Kinematic viscosity @ 40 °C centistokes (cSt) 2.0–4.5 2–4.5
Density @ 15 °C kg/m 3
815–845 810–845
Total sulfur, max milligram (mg)/kg 50 10
Water content, max mg/kg 200 200
Cold filter plugging point (CFPP)
°C 18 18
a) summer, max
°C 6 6
b) winter, max
Total contaminations, max mg/kg 24 24
Oxidation stability, max g/m 3
25 25
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), max  % mass 8 8
Lubricity, corrected wear scar diameter (wsd 1,4) @ 60 °C, max μm (microns) 460 460
Copper strip corrosion for 3 hours @ 50 °C Rating Class I Class I
a
Fuel quality specification for regular/premium gasoline
b
This limit is applicable prior to the addition of any ignition improvers. In case a value exceeding the limit is obtained on finished fuels in the market,
ASTM D 4046 / ISO 13759 shall be used to establish the presence of nitrate containing compound. In such case the present limit for carbon residue cannot
be applied. However, the use of ignition improver does not exempt the manufacturer from meeting this requirement prior to the addition of additives.

Methodology
In view of the nationwide rollout of BS VI fuel quality and emission standards, we are
undertaking a comprehensive survey of motor gasoline and automotive diesel fuel
quality across India. The survey consists of two phases. Samples for phase I were
collected in December 2019 and January 2020, and collection of samples for phase II
is expected to happen in the second half of 2020. Phase I is aimed at understanding
the readiness of suppliers to meet BS VI fuel specifications and the average deviation
of parameters from the BS IV fuel standards before BS VI standards went into effect.
Phase II is aimed at quantifying the compliance of suppliers with BS VI fuel specifications

2 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
and the average deviation of parameters from the BS VI fuel standards after the BS VI
standards go into effect. In this paper, we present the results of phase I.

Testing program
We contracted SGS Germany GmbH to carry out sampling and analysis for both phases
of the study. When choosing sampling station locations, we did our best to avoid
possible redundancy, i.e., sampling multiple stations supplied by the same refinery.
Samples of gasoline and diesel were drawn from two retail stations each in 15 cities
spread across India, for a total of 30 samples each for gasoline and diesel. While many
samples for gasoline and diesel were taken from the same retail outlets, in some cases
they were not, and this resulted in a total of 45 retail outlets sampled altogether.

Table 2 also lists if the outlet is Dealer Owned Dealer Operated (DODO), Company
Owned Company Operated (COCO), or Company Owned Dealer Operated (CODO). All
samples collected were regular gasoline and diesel, and retail outlets were certified to
supply BS IV standard fuel at the time of sampling except for the retail outlets in Delhi,
which were certified to supply BS VI fuel.

Table 2. Sampling IDs and locations

Retail station # Gasoline sample ID Diesel sample ID Outlet type

AMBD1 Ahmedabad1 Ahmedabad1 DODO
AMBD2 Ahmedabad2 Ahmedabad2 DODO
COH1 Cochin1 Cochin1 DODO
COH2 Cochin2 Cochin2 DODO
KAN1 Kanpur1 Kanpur1 DODO
KAN2 Kanpur2 Kanpur2 DODO
MYSR1 Mysuru1 DODO
MYSR2 Mysuru2 DODO
MYSR3 Mysuru3 DODO
MYSR4 Mysuru4 DODO
NGPR1 Nagpur1 DODO
NGPR2 Nagpur2 CODO
NGPR3 Nagpur3 CODO
NGPR4 Nagpur4 DODO
NDHL1 New Dehi1 DODO
NDHL2 New Delhi2 DODO
NDHL3 New Delhi3 DODO
NDHL4 New Delhi4 DODO
PTNA1 Patna1 DODO
PTNA2 Patna2 Patna2 DODO
PTNA3 Patna3 DODO
RNCH1 Ranchi1 DODO
RNCH2 Ranchi2 DODO
RNCH3 Ranchi3 DODO
Ranchi4
RNCH4 DODO
Ranchi4-retest
SHML1 Shimla1 Shimla1 DODO
SHML2 Shimla2 Shimla2 DODO
THAN1 Thane1 Thane1 CODO
THAN2 Thane2 Thane2 DODO

3 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
 Retail station # Gasoline sample ID Diesel sample ID Outlet type
VSKP1 Visakhapatnam1 COCO
Visakhapatnam2
VSKP2 Visakhapatnam2- DODO
retest
VSKP3 Visakhapatnam3 DODO
VSKP4 Visakhapatnam4 DODO
VRNS1 Varanasi1 Varanasi1 DODO
VRNS2 Varanasi2 Varanasi2 DODO
MUMB1 Mumbai1 Mumbai1 DODO
MUMB2 Mumbai2 Mumbai2 DODO
BNSW1 Bhubaneswar1 DODO
BNSW2 Bhubaneswar2 DODO
BNSW3 Bhubaneswar3 DODO
BNSW4 Bhubaneswar4 DODO
UDPR1 Udaipur1 DODO
UDPR2 Udaipur2 DODO
UDPR3 Udaipur3 DODO
UDPR4 Udaipur4 DODO

Two-liter samples of regular unleaded gasoline and diesel from each sampling station
were drawn directly from a nozzle at the station and taken in Jerrycans; later they were
decanted to International Air Transport Association (IATA) proofed cans, as seen in
Figure 1. Gasoline samples were allowed to cool prior to decanting and all samples were
delivered by air cargo to SGS Germany for lab analyses.

Figure 1. IATA proofed cans used for storing and shipping fuel samples.

4 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
Table 3 lists the standard testing protocols as recommended by the Bureau of Indian
Standards. The testing standards used to analyze respective compounds in this study are
in bold and italics in the table below, which also lists other standards that could be used
for analyzing the same compounds.

Table 3. BIS gasoline and diesel specifications/standard reference

BIS recommended standards (the standard

Parameter analyzed used for this analysis in bold and italics) Remarks
Petrol
Aromatics ASTM D 1319 /D 5580/ D 6730 /D 6839 /ISO 22854
ASTM D 3606 / D 55809 / D 6277 /D 6730/ D 6839/
Benzene
ISO 22854
Olefins ASTM D 1319 /D 6730/ D 6839/ ISO 22854
ISO 22854 was used as an alternative to ASTM D5599
Ethanol ASTM D 48159/ D 5599
since it is more precise for ethanol contents above 1%.
Octane (RON) ASTM D 2699
All samples were measured by ASTM D2622. Samples
P: 34 / P: 153/ ISO 20847 /ISO 208469/ ISO 130329/
Sulfur content with less than 10mg/l were measured additionally by
ASTM D 2622/ D 3120/ D 5453/ D 7220
ASTM D 5453.
P : 39 / ASTM D 323 (wet methods) / D 5191(dry
RVP
method) / D 6378/ EN 13016
[P:16] / ISO 3675 / ASTM D 4052/ISO 12185/ ASTM D
Density
1298/ IP 160
Diesel
Cetane number ASTM D 613
ISO 130329 / ISO 20884/ISO 208469 / ASTM D 5453/ All samples were measured by ASTM D2622. Samples
Sulfur content ASTM D 2622/ASTM D 7220/[P : 34] for Bharat Stage with less than 10mg/l were measured additionally by
IV grade only [P : 153] /ASTM D 4294 ASTM D 5453.
[P:16]/ ISO 3675 / ASTM D 4052/ISO 12185/ ASTM D
Density
1298 / IP 160

Results and discussion

Gasoline results
We found that nearly half of the outlets already complied with BS VI sulfur limits and
all complied with BS IV sulfur limits. As shown in Figure 2, one of the samples tested
from Visakhapatnam retail stations, Visakhapatnam2, showed a sulfur level that was not
compliant with either BS VI or BS IV standards; it was resampled and retested. The retest,
Visakhapatnam2-retest, showed that the sample complied with BS IV sulfur standards.

5 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
6
A A Concentration (ppm)
hm hm
A e A

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
hm da hm eda

0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
ed ba ed ba
ab d1 ab d1
C ad C ad
oc 2 oc 2
C hi C hi
oc n1 oc n1
K hin K hin
an 2 an 2
K pu K pu
an r an r
p 1 p 1
M ur M ur
ys 2 ys 2
M ur M ur
ys u1 ys u1
N uru N uru
ag 2 ag 2
N pu N pu
N
ag r
1 a
e pu N gp r1
e u
N w D r2 N w D r2
ew e ew e
D hi1 D hi1
el el
Pa hi2 Pa hi2
t t
Pa na Pa na
tn 1 tn 1
R a R a
an 2 an 2
R ch R ch
an i1 an i1
c c

Figure 3. RVP analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

Sh hi Sh hi
i 2 im 2
Sh mla Sh la
im 1 im 1

BS IV, VI fuel RVP standard (60 max)

V Th la2 V Th la2
V is
a an V i sa an
is

Figure 2. Sulfur content analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

ak Vi kh Th e1 is
s
ha a p n a a ak Vi kh Th e1
ha sa ap an
BS VI fuel sulfur standard (10 ppm)

pa kh at e2 pa kh at e2
tn ap na tn ap na
BS IV fuel sulfur standard (50 ppm max)

am atn m1 am atn m1
2- am 2- am
R R
V et 2 V et 2
ar e
s ar e
s
V ana t V ana t
ar s ar s
an i1 a i1
M a M na
u s

compliance, each by about 8%. This does not impact tailpipe emissions.
B M mb i2 u s
hu u a B M mb i2
hu u a
B ba mb i1 B ba mb i1
hu n a hu n a
ba es i2 ba es i2
ne wa ne wa
s r1
U wa
da r2
at 60. From the fuel we analyzed from all outlets, three retail outlets were out of U wa
s r1
da r2
The RVP standards did not change between BS IV and BS VI and remained capped

U ip U ip
da u da u
ip r1 ip r1
ur ur
2 2

ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
Similar to RVP, the RON standards also did not change between BS IV and BS VI.
As illustrated in Figure 4, below, although some samples barely met the minimum
requirement, all outlets except for samples collected from one (Visakhapatnam2)
complied with the required standards.
97

96

95

94

93

92
BS IV, VI fuel RON standard (91 min for regular gasoline)
91

90

89

88

87
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

N gp r1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
m i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

Pa na

Sh mla

ur
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

Sh hi

2- am
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu an ba
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

U wa
ed ba

ha sa ap an
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t
hm eda

R
a
e
hm

b
A
A

a
is

B
V
is
V

Figure 4. RON analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

The requirements for aromatics also remained the same between BS IV and BS VI. From
the data analyzed, two outlets exceed the maximum standard by an average of 1%.
Since aromatic compounds are relatively less critical to tailpipe emissions than sulfur or
benzene, these fine margins of non-compliance are not treated further.
40

BS IV, VI fuel aromatics standard (35% max)

35

30

25

20

15
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
B ba mb i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

ag r

Pa na

Sh mla

s
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

Sh hi

2- am

ur
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu n a
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

e pu

U wa
ed ba

ha a p n
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t

a
hm eda

R
hm

a
N
A
A

a
is
s
V
is
V

Figure 5. Aromatics content analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

7 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
Gasoline density standards, which are in the 720–775 kg/m3 range, have not changed
since BS III. All samples analyzed complied with the requirement.

780
BS IV, VI fuel density standard (775kg/m3 max)
775
770
765
760
755
750
745
740
735
730
725
BS IV, VI fuel density standard (720kg/m3 min)
720
715
710
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

N gp r1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
m i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

Pa na

Sh mla

ur
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

Sh hi

2- am
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu an ba
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

U wa
ed ba

ha sa ap an
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t
hm eda

R
a
e
hm

b
A
A

a
is

B
V
is
V

Figure 6. Density analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

The standard for maximum olefin content has also not changed since BS III and remains
at 21% for regular grade gasoline in BS VI fuel specifications. All samples analyzed met
the standard.

22
BS IV, VI fuel olefins standard for regular grade gasoline (21% max)

20

18

16

14

12

10

0
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
B ba mb i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

ag r

Pa na

Sh mla

s
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

Sh hi

2- am

ur
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu n a
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

e pu

U wa
ed ba

ha a p n
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t

a
hm da

R
A e
hm

a
N
A

a
is
s
V
is
V

Figure 7. Olefin content analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

8 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
One of the critical aspects of India’s fuel standards is the benzene limit of 1%. Even
though this standard has not changed since BS II, eight samples were not compliant.
However, only one sample fell outside the allowed measurement error for this test.1
The Visakhapatnam2 sample tested at nearly 9 times the standard and when retested
(Visakhapatnam2-Retest), it failed by 22%.

10

2
BS IV, VI fuel benzene standard (1% max)
1

0
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
B ba mb i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

ag r

Pa na

Sh mla

ur
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

Sh hi

2- am
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu n a
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

e pu

U wa
ed ba

ha a p n
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t

a
hm eda

R
hm

a
N
A
A

a
is
s
V
is
V

Figure 8. Benzene content analyzed in all gasoline samples taken

No change was made for ethanol content from BS IV to BS VI. The ethanol content
allowed in regular gasoline is up to 5% and in the E10 fuel, it is up to 10%. All samples
complied with the respective standards for regular and E10 fuel.

12

BS IV, VI fuel ethanol standard for E10 gasoline (10% max)

10

6
BS IV, VI fuel ethanol standard for motor gasoline (5% max)

0
ab d1
oc 2
oc n1
an 2

p 1
ys 2
ys u1
ag 2

1
N w D r2
D hi1
Pa hi2

tn 1
an 2
an i1

i 2
im 1
Th la2
ak Vi kh Th e1
pa kh at e2
am atn m1

V et 2
V ana t
an i1

B M mb i2
B ba mb i1
ba es i2
s r1
da r2

ip r1
2
an r

ag r

Pa na

Sh mla

s
C ad

K hin

M ur

N uru

R a

ur
Sh hi

2- am
R ch

ar s

hu u a
K pu

N pu

ne wa

da u
u s

hu n a
ar e
an
C hi

M ur

e pu

U wa
ed ba

ha a p n
ew e

tn ap na

M a

U ip
el

c
t

a
hm eda

R
hm

a
N
A
A

a
is
s
V
is
V

Figure 9. Ethanol content analyzed in all ethanol samples taken

1  The test laboratory (SGS) reported a repeatability of 0.02% and reproducibility of 0.1% for the benzene tests conducted.

9 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
 Diesel results
The next three figures show the results of analysis of the diesel samples that were also
obtained from the same retail outlets as the gasoline samples. Just like in gasoline, one
of the major changes seen in diesel standards for BS VI is the sulfur limit of 10 ppm.
Similar to the results obtained from the gasoline samples, results show that nearly half
the outlets already comply with BS VI limits and all except one (Ranchi4) comply with
the BS IV limit. We resampled and retested from the same retail outlet in Ranchi and
found it to be better (Ranchi4-retest).

80

70

60
Concentration (ppm)

BS IV fuel sulfur standard (50ppm max)

50

40

30

20

BS VI fuel sulfur standard (10ppm)

10

0
C ad 1
o 2
oc n1

K np 2
M pu 1
M sur 2
N ur 3
N gp 4
e p 3
ew e 4
D lhi3
Pa lhi4

R tn 3
an R nc a2
i4 ch 3
-r i4

Sh ml t
m 1
V ak T an 2
ak p a 1
pa na 2
V na 3
V an 4
M na i1
hu M b 2
hu n b 1
ne wa 2
U sw r3
U aip r4
ip r3
4
ab ad

an ur

is ha h e

B ba um ai
i s
a n

y r

Th la

ha at ne

um si

ba es ai
ys u

N ag ur

Pa na

ch an hi

t m
a u

N w D ur

ar m

a s

ur
Sh te
C chi

da u
d a
ar a
K hi
ed ab

t
e

i
a
hm d
A me
h
A

B
R

is
V

Figure 10. Sulfur content analyzed in all diesel samples taken

The minimum cetane number requirement has not changed from BS IV to BS VI, and it
remains at 51. All outlets except three complied with the minimum required standard.
Because the out-of-compliance values are under by approximately 1.5%, they do not
raise any alarms about impact on tailpipe emissions.

57

55

53

BS IV, VI cetane number standard for diesel fuel (51 min)

51

49

47

45
C ad 1
o 2
oc n1

K np 2
M pu 1
M sur 2
N ur 3
N gp 4
e p 3
ew e 4
D lhi3
Pa lhi4

R tn 3
an R nc a2
i4 ch 3
-r i4

Sh ml t
m 1
V ak T an 2
ak p a 1
pa na 2
V na 3
V an 4
M na i1
hu M b 2
hu n b 1
ne wa 2
U sw r3
U aip r4
ip r3
4
ab ad

an ur

is ha h e

B ba um ai
i s
a n

y r

Th la

ha at ne

um si

ba es ai
ys u

N ag ur

Pa na

ch an hi

t m
a u

N w D ur

ar m

a s

ur
Sh te
C chi

da u
d a
ar a
K hi
ed ab

t
e

i
a
hm d
A me
h
A

B
R

is
V

Figure 11. Cetane number analyzed in all diesel samples taken

10 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1
The density standard range increased to 810–845 kg/m3 in BS VI regulations from the
previous range, 815–845 kg/m3 in BS IV. All samples tested complied with both BS IV and
BS VI regulations.

845
BS IV, VI fuel density max (845 kg/m3 max)

840

835

830

825

820

BS IV fuel density min (815 kg/m3 min)

815

BS VI fuel density min (810 kg/m3 min)

810

805
ab d1
oc 2
oc 1
an 2

1
ys r2
ys 3
ag 4
N ag ur3
N D r4
D i3
Pa hi4
Pa na3
an 2
ch an i3
-r i4

im t
im 1
Th la2

is a a 1
ha atn e2
3

V an 4
a i1
um i2

B ba mb i1
ba esw i2
s r3

U ipu 4
ip 3
4
C hin

an r

Sh la

V kh Th ne
Sh tes
C ad

K hin

R tna
M ru

pa am

da r
N uru

V nam

ar as

hu u ba

da r

ur
K pu

M nas

hu n a
lh

an R ch
i4 ch
M pu

ne a
ed ba

U wa
ak p n
el

a
u

N p
ew p
ew e

e
a

t
hm d

ar
A me

B M
h
A

a
R

is
V

Figure 12. Density analyzed in all diesel samples taken

Conclusion
Results from phase I tests show that while most of the retail outlets complied with BS
IV fuel limits, a few did not. Although non-compliant fuel was found to have been sold
by a few retailers, it is not clear whether the problem of fuel quality originated with
the supplier or the retailer. Therefore, robust fuel quality monitoring is needed both
upstream and downstream along the supply chain. Results also show that a number
of refineries as of December 2019 had already started supplying BS VI standard fuel
to several distributors. While only the retail outlets in Delhi were required to meet the
BS VI fuel standard requirements at the time, several other outlets also already complied
with BS VI standards. The data analyzed indicates a promising readiness toward full
compliance from April 1, 2020 onward. The second phase of this study is expected to
begin in the second half of 2020 and samples will be collected from the same cities to
examine the transition to BS VI fuel quality.

References
Bureau of Indian Standards: 1460:2017 (2017). Automotive diesel fuel specification (sixth revision).
Bureau of Indian Standards: 2796:2017 (2017). Motor gasoline specification (sixth revision).
Dallmann, T., & Bandivadekar, A. (2016). Technical background on India BS VI fuel specifications.
Retrieved from the International Council on Clean Transportation, https://theicct.org/
publications/technical-background-india-bs-vi-fuel-specifications

11 ICCT WORKING PAPER 2020-16 | GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL QUALITY SURVEY FOR INDIA: PART 1