Rajan Wilcox
With the introduction of BS6 fuel, many people are wondering whether their BS4-compliant cars will be able to run on the new fuel. The short answer is yes, a BS4 vehicle can run on BS6 fuel, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. The type of engine in the car will play a crucial role in determining the compatibility of the car with the new fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can BS6 fuel be used in BS4 cars? | Yes, but it is not recommended for diesel engines due to the low sulphur content in BS6 fuel. |
| Sulphur content in BS6 fuel | 10mg/kg |
| Sulphur content in BS4 fuel | 50mg/kg |
| Impact of using BS6 fuel in BS4 diesel engines | Potential long-term damage to the engine and increased costs. |
| Impact of using BS6 fuel in BS4 petrol engines | No known issues. |
| Impact of using BS4 fuel in BS6 cars | Potential clogging of diesel particulate filters and reduced fuel economy. |
| Rollout of BS6 fuel in India | Started in Delhi/NCR in April 2018, with a nationwide rollout by April 2020. |
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What You'll Learn
BS4 petrol vehicles are compatible with BS6 fuel
The Indian government's decision to enforce BS6 emission norms from April 2020 was a result of the country's struggle to keep air pollution in check. This brought India on par with US and European emission standards. The new BS6 fuel has a much lower sulphur content than BS4 fuel, resulting in greener and cleaner fuel quality.
While the BS6 diesel engine can only run on BS6 fuel, BS4 petrol vehicles are compatible with BS6 fuel. This is due to minimal differences in terms of chemical properties. The new fuel will burn cleaner, resulting in lower emissions of NOx, CO, and Hydrocarbons on these BS4 petrol vehicles.
However, the diesel BS4 engine is likely to have long-term implications with BS6 diesel. The low sulphur content in BS6 diesel is expected to affect the chemical lubrication process of the injectors, and the BS4 diesel engine is likely to show signs of internal wear and tear over time. The disrupted fuel flow pattern may cause incorrect or incomplete combustion, leading to increased emission levels.
To address this issue, lubricity improver additives for BS6 diesel fuel are being developed. These additives can be added along with diesel during refilling to keep the essential systems lubricated and improve engine efficiency. While these additives are not yet available in the Indian market, they are expected to make their entry soon.
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BS4 diesel engines will have long-term issues with BS6 diesel
BS4 diesel engines will experience long-term issues if they are consistently fuelled by BS6 diesel. This is due to the lower sulphur content in BS6 diesel, which is an essential lubricant in BS4 engines. Sulphur in the fuel reacts with nickel in the fuel system, keeping parts such as the fuel pump and injectors well-lubricated.
While BS6 diesel is a step in the right direction for the environment, with lower emissions of NOx, CO, and hydrocarbons, it can cause significant damage to older diesel engines. This is because the new fuel has just 10mg/kg of sulphur, compared to 50mg/kg in BS4 diesel fuel. The lack of sulphur can lead to a drop in the fuel's cetane number, which is a measure of how well diesel fuel burns—the higher the number, the better the combustion.
Some car owners have reported issues with their BS4 diesel engines after fuelling with BS6 diesel. For example, one owner of a BS4 Isuzu reported having to clean their EGR seven times in one year. Another owner of two Suzukis with the DDIS engine reported that their engine was "really rough" after using BS6 diesel, and they had to treat it with Liqui Moly diesel purge to restore it.
To prevent damage to BS4 diesel engines, some have suggested using additives along with the diesel while refuelling to keep the fuel systems lubricated. However, these additives are not yet widely available in the Indian market, and car manufacturers have not issued any advisories or accepted that there is an issue.
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BS6 fuel will be available across India
India's biggest oil company, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), announced that it would supply BS6 fuel to its 28,000 fuel stations across the country. This move came two weeks before the April 1, 2020, deadline for the implementation of BS6 emission norms. By January 2020, Indian Oil had successfully converted 80% of its 121 bulk storage terminals across India from BS4 to BS6.
The introduction of BS6 fuel is a step towards reducing air pollution in the country. The new fuel contains five times less sulphur than BS4 fuel and about 70% less nitrogen oxide in diesel engines and 25% in petrol engines. This results in lower emissions of NOx, CO, and hydrocarbons from petrol-powered vehicles and a significant reduction in particulate matter from diesel engines.
While BS6 fuel is now available across India, there are some concerns about its compatibility with older vehicles. BS6 fuel can be used in BS4-compliant petrol engines without any issues. However, using BS6 fuel in diesel engines designed for BS4 fuel may have long-term negative effects. This is because the lower sulphur content in BS6 fuel can impact the lubrication process in older diesel engines, leading to internal wear and tear and potential engine damage over time.
To address this issue, lubricity improver additives for BS6 diesel fuel are being developed. These additives can be used during refuelling to maintain proper lubrication in older diesel engines and prevent environmental harm. It is important to note that these additives are not yet available in the Indian market, but they are expected to be introduced soon.
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BS6 petrol is currently available in only two regions
Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards set by the Government of India to regulate air pollutants from internal combustion engines. In 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR) became the first region in India to receive BS6 grade petrol and diesel. As of April 1, 2020, BS6 fuel became available across the country, though some pumps might not have been able to supply it due to the lockdown.
Prior to the nationwide rollout, BS6 petrol was available only in the Delhi NCR and Agra regions. The early rollout in Delhi/NCR was due to extreme pollution levels in the capital. The introduction of BS6 fuel was a step towards managing vehicular pollution, which is a contributor to overall air pollution.
The transition to BS6 fuel is a significant development in India's oil industry and has been achieved through heavy investments by oil companies. The new fuel contains just 10 parts per million of sulphur, making it one of the cleanest fuels available. It is expected to reduce NOx emissions from BS6 petrol engines by 25% and by 70% in diesel cars.
The rollout of BS6 fuel and vehicles has also been accompanied by the phasing out of older BS4 vehicles and fuel. While BS4 vehicles can run on BS6 fuel without major issues, the use of BS6 fuel in BS4 diesel engines can have long-term implications due to the low sulphur content in BS6 diesel, which affects the lubrication process of the injectors.
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BS6-compliant petrol engines are designed to treat pollutants
The Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES) were introduced in 2000 by the Government of India to regulate the output of pollutants from vehicles. The standards were designed to reduce harmful pollutants from internal combustion engines, which produce pollutants in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
BS6-compliant petrol engines are designed to treat these pollutants after the combustion process. The exhaust treatment system helps in trapping pollutants like NOx and PM, which are harmful to the environment. The introduction of BS6 fuel, which has a much lower sulfur content than BS4 fuel, is a step towards reducing these emissions. While BS6-compliant petrol engines can run on both BS4 and BS6 fuel, the higher sulfur content in BS4 fuel can impact the catalytic action in BS6 engines.
The switch to BS6 fuel is a significant step towards reducing vehicular emissions, which are a major contributor to air pollution in India. By enforcing stricter emission standards, the government aims to bring India on par with US and European emission standards. Oil companies and automakers have invested heavily in the early rollout of BS6 fuel and vehicles, respectively.
For diesel engines, the transition to BS6 fuel poses some challenges. The lower sulfur content in BS6 fuel can impact the lubrication of older diesel engines, leading to potential long-term problems. To address this issue, lubricity improver additives can be used during refueling to maintain proper lubrication and prevent damage to the fuel system. However, these additives are not yet widely available in the Indian market.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, BS6 fuel can be used in BS4 vehicles, but only if they have a petrol engine. Using BS6 fuel in a diesel BS4 engine will likely cause long-term damage.
The lower sulphur content in BS6 fuel will affect the chemical lubrication process of the injectors in a diesel BS4 engine. This will likely cause internal wear and tear in the long term, incorrect/incomplete combustion, and an increase in emission levels.
BS6 fuel has a lower sulphur content than BS4 fuel, resulting in a reduction in the emission of harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.
The rollout of BS6 fuel began in April 2020, with Delhi/NCR receiving it first in April 2018.
