Gasoline and diesel fuel quality survey for India: Part 1

India’s nationwide rollout of Bharat Stage (BS) VI fuel quality and vehicle emission standards took effect on April 1, 2020. In view of this development, we are undertaking a comprehensive survey of motor gasoline and automotive diesel fuel quality across the country. This working paper presents results of phase I, which analyzed samples collected in December 2019 and January 2020, while the prior BS IV standards were still in effect for much of the country. This testing sought to understand the readiness of suppliers to meet the upcoming BS VI fuel standards and the average deviation from the BS IV standards before the more advanced standards began.

Phase I results show that most of the retail outlets complied with BS IV fuel standards, and several were already being supplied with BS VI standard fuel. This is a promising indicator toward full compliance from April 1, 2020 onward. Meanwhile, in the cases where retail stations were found to be out of compliance, it is not clear whether the problem is with the refinery that supplied the fuel or with the retailer. This underscores the need for robust monitoring both upstream and downstream along the supply chain. Testing for the second phase of this study is expected to be completed in the second half of 2020.

Find more information on India diesel and gasoline here.

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