India has decided to move to much cleaner BS VI auto fuel from BS IV auto fuel which is currently in use. This effectively means that it has skipped past BS V auto fuel.

The government in consultation with stakeholders has now decided to meet international best practices by leapfrogging directly from BS-IV to BS-VI grade by April 1, 2020, skipping BS-V altogether. Oil refining companies are making huge investments in fuel up gradation projects to produce the BS-VI grade fuels.

Taking into account the serious pollution levels in Delhi and adjoining areas, the petroleum ministry in consultation with public Oil Marketing Companies has decided for preponement of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi from April 1, 2018 instead of April 1, 2020. OMCs have also been asked to examine the possibility of introduction of BS-VI auto fuels in the whole of NCR region from April 1, 2019.

This measure is expected to help mitigate the problem of air pollution in NCT of Delhi and surrounding areas.

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas introduced the BS-IV grade transportation fuels across the country on April 1, 2017. With the launch of BS-IV grade fuel, a new era of clean transportation fuels began, substantially reducing pollution levels.