IndianOil to join elite group of Formula One fuel suppliers

11 Mar 2024 , 05:14 PM

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is now focused on the Grand Prix and will begin producing fuel used in the thrilling Formula One, or F1, motor racing within the next three months after delivering back-to-back breakthroughs in fuel grades.

According to the company’s chairman, Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, the refinery in Paradip, Odisha, would start producing the gasoline used in Formula One racing in three months.

The largest oil corporation in the nation, IOC, which already holds around 40% of the gasoline market, will be the first in India and one of only a few in the world to manufacture fuel used in Formula One racing.

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the worldwide motor sport regulatory organization, strictly regulates F1 fuel requirements on a number of fronts, including allowable blending agents and additives. F1 fuel is simply high-octane gasoline.

When India started manufacturing highly specialized “reference” gasoline and diesel in October of last year, it enabled the country enter a small group of countries. These fuels are used for vehicle testing.

The US behemoth Chevron is one of just three suppliers of reference fuels worldwide. ‘Reference’ grade gasoline is produced by IOC’s Paradip refinery in Odisha, and comparable quality diesel is produced by its Panipat facility in Haryana.

Before this, Indian automakers were required to test vehicles and motorcycles using imported reference fuel. They may now get the same grade fuel from IOC for a far lower price.

Through their network of service stations, fuel merchants like IOC generally sell two types of gasoline and diesel: normal and premium. The octane number is the primary distinction between regular and premium fuel. The octane number of premium fuel is 91, whereas that of standard fuel is 87. An octane number of 97 is associated with reference grade fuel.

All that the octane number is is a unit of measurement for gasoline or diesel ignition quality.

According to Vaidya, his company produces three premium fuels that are used in high-end luxury automobiles and motorcycles: 95-octane XP95 gasoline and 100-octane XP100 gasoline. Additionally, it features high-performance XtraGreen diesel, which uses less fuel, produces less noise, and releases fewer nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.

“XtraGreen diesel fuel truly is a game-changer. It is quickly catching up and currently accounts for 8% of all diesel sales for IOC, the speaker stated.
IOC, he claimed, had joined the racing fuels market with their ‘Storm’ high-octane gasoline for motorcycle racing.

During the three-year period from 2024 to 2026, the firm will serve as the official fuel partner of the Federation Internationale De Motocyclisme (FIM) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), providing ‘Storm’ gasoline for all ARRC race rounds.

All 15 participating countries’ motorcycle riders in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will get fuel from IOC.

“Our R&D (research and development) in two months will be able to produce Category-1 fuel and in three months Formula 1 fuel,” he stated. “Unless we go to F1, the journey is not complete.” He stated that the Koyali refinery in Gujarat is where the corporation produces the ‘Storm’ fuel.

At its Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh, IOC produces XP100.

Currently, E10 gasoline, which contains 10% renewable ethanol, is used in Formula One. The amount of fuel derived from non-fossil sources, like waste management, alcohol, and algae, will increase to 40% this year and 100% sustainable fuel by 2026.

According to him, IOC would also begin producing fuel of a comparable caliber and then approach automakers competing in Formula One.

In contrast to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, where all motorcycle competitors use the same fuel source, Formula One (F1) permits teams to choose their own fuel provider. For example, Shell provides fuel to Ferrari.

“This is just the beginning,” Vaidya declared.

“Storm – Ultimate Racing Fuel” offers reduced engine deposits, reduced exhaust emissions, smoother driving, quicker acceleration, and more power.

It can be used in all classes of motorcycles that need FIM Category 2 race fuels, including endurance, trial, circuit, motocross, supermoto, cross-country, e-bike, and track racing championships.

For feedback and suggestions, write to us at [e-mail]