Indian Oil's XP100 premium petrol has come into focus amid concerns among some motorists over the use of E20 fuel, including claims of reduced mileage, potential damage to older engine components and faster wear and tear.
XP100 has a 100-octane rating and is 100% ethanol-free, unlike regular petrol and premium fuels such as XP95, which contain ethanol blends. Launched in December 2020, XP100 is primarily designed for high-performance vehicles, including supercars, luxury sedans and superbikes.
Under the government's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, E20 fuel contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. While the Centre and automobile manufacturers, citing an Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) report, have maintained that E20 is safe for compatible vehicles, some consumers have raised concerns online about its impact, particularly on older vehicles.
As a result, some owners of classic and older cars are exploring ethanol-free alternatives such as XP100. According to Autocar India, XP100 may be a suitable, though significantly more expensive, option for such vehicles as it avoids the potential corrosive effects associated with ethanol.
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E20 fuel is a blend containing 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, while XP100 is a premium fuel that is 100% ethanol-free and has a 100 octane rating.
Concerns arise because E20 fuel may cause mileage reduction and potential damage to older engine components, which are not designed to handle higher ethanol content.
XP100 improves engine power, fuel economy, and drivability due to its superior antiknock properties and higher octane rating, making it especially beneficial for high-end luxury cars and superbikes.
Switching to XP100 is advisable for owners of older vehicles as it protects against the corrosive effects of ethanol and enhances engine performance, although it is generally a more expensive option.
Mixing XP100 with 91 octane fuel will result in a higher octane rating, leading to smoother engine operation and improved performance compared to using only 91 octane.
The government is promoting ethanol-blended petrol to reduce tailpipe emissions, lower crude oil imports and improve India's energy security.
According to CarDekho, premium fuels such as Indian Oil's XP95, Hindustan Petroleum's Power95, Bharat Petroleum's Speed97 and Shell V-Power now contain 20% ethanol. XP100 remains one of the few ethanol-free petrol options available in India.
According to Indian Oil, XP100's "superior anti-knock properties improve engine power, deliver faster acceleration, enhance fuel economy, improve drivability and increase engine life."
The company says the fuel is manufactured using high-octane gasoline produced through its Octamax technology and is intended to maximise performance in high-compression engines.
In Delhi, the current price of XP100 is ₹167.35.
According to Indian Oil, XP100 will not harm 91 Octane compatible vehicles; instead, it will deliver smooth engine operation and improved fuel economy, emissions, and acceleration. It is important to note that the full benefits of XP100 are realised when used in a matching engine configuration (i.e., a higher compression ratio).
“The resultant octane of fuel after mixing will not harm the vehicle or engine in any way. The performance of the vehicle will be smoother as compared to 91 octane since the octane rating of the resultant fuel in the vehicle would be higher than 91,” the OMC registered in Mumbai and headquartered in New Delhi, in a statement, said on its official website
After XP100 use, returning to conventional 91 octane fuel or lower grades “will not harm the engine,” since most vehicles are designed to operate on a minimum of 91 octane fuel. Indian Oil suggested that using XP100 in the vehicle cleans the fuel system and engine parts for a limited period during which it is used.
“All fuel brands (Regular fuel, XtraPremium and XP100) sold at IndianOil outlets meet the requirements of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) - IS2796-2017 and are, thereby, honoured by OEMs in terms of providing engine warranty. The octane rating of XP100 exceeds the BIS standard and ensures much superior combustion of fuel in the engine as compared to the BIS-recommended gasoline,” Indian Oil said.
