IOC, BPCL launch Euro IV diesel tenders to meet 1 April deadline
23 Jan 2010
Public sector oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) have issued their first tenders to import 180,000 tonnes of Euro IV-compliant diesel to meet the April deadline for the roll out of cleaner fuel in 13 major cities.
This is seen as a move by the domestic refiners to cut emissions and to catch up with fuel quality in Europe, which now follows Euro V standards.
The auto fuel policy of 2003 requires the three state-run oil marketing companies – HPCL, IOC and BPCL – to sell only petrol and diesel that meets Euro-IV specifications in 13 major cities and Euro-III specifications across India from 1 April.
The country has been gradually reducing sulphur from 2000, when fuel had 500 parts per million (ppm).
Motorists in major cities will now move to Euro-IV norms, locally known as Bharat Stage-IV, that allow up to 50 ppm sulphur.
Early this month, state oil minister Jitin Prasada said the phased launch of Euro III-compliant fuel would be completed only by October.