IOCL to provide a special grade of diesel to Ladakh

As many might be aware, diesel can freeze at relatively higher temperatures than petrol. While petrol has a freezing point somewhere in the -40 to -50°C range, diesel can become unusable at -30°C. To combat such issues in extremely cold regions like Ladakh (where fuel freezing is a common phenomenon), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has come up with a special grade of diesel for the region. In fact, the state-owned oil giant has already dispatched the first consignment of this new grade of diesel from its Panipat refinery.

While the new grade of diesel has been certified for use, IOCL is yet to announce the pricing for it. As for what makes this new grade of diesel 'special', it contains a small percentage of biodiesel (about 5 per cent). The small amount of biodiesel can have some really performance-enhancing effects on regular diesel and also helps in increasing the freezing point of the fuel. IOCL claims the new grade of diesel can withstand temperatures as low as -33°C and remain liquid. Therefore, diesel vehicles can operate a bit more conveniently in the region.

In other news, starting 1st October 2019, IOCL also started supplying BS-VI fuel to seven districts in Haryana (Faridabad, Gurugram, Mahendraghar, Rewari, Jhajjar, Palwal & Mewat). In April 2019, select districts in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Agra had started receiving the same service.

Read more:

BS-VI fuel now introduced in Delhi

*Image courtesy - IOCL