Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Fuel Standards 2026

Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released two major fuel standards to support India’s clean energy transition and biofuel expansion.

1. IS 19850: 2026 — Ethanol Blended Fuels

This standard specifies requirements for higher ethanol-petrol blends:

• E22 → 22% ethanol

• E25 → 25% ethanol

• E27 → 27% ethanol

• E30 → 30% ethanol

These fuels are mixtures of:

• Anhydrous ethanol (water-free ethanol)
  and

• Motor gasoline (petrol)

What is Ethanol Blending?

Ethanol blending means:

• Mixing ethanol with petrol.

Example:

• E20 fuel contains:

  • 20% ethanol

  • 80% petrol

Current Status in India

India has:

• Achieved the:

  • 20% Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) target

under the:

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018

India now aims:

• To move towards:

  • 30% blending by 2030.

Significance of Ethanol Blending

Energy Security

• Reduces dependence on crude oil imports.

Environmental Benefits

• Lower carbon emissions compared to conventional petrol.

Farmer Income

• Creates demand for:

  • Sugarcane

  • Maize

  • Agricultural feedstocks

Foreign Exchange Savings

• Reduces import bill for petroleum products.

2. IS 18698: 2026 — DME Blended LPG

This standard relates to:

• Dimethyl Ether (DME) blended LPG.

It replaces:

• The earlier 2024 standard.

About DME (Dimethyl Ether)

DME is:

• A clean-burning synthetic fuel
  that behaves similarly to:

• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Production Pathways of DME

1. Indirect Route

Syngas → Methanol → DME

2. Direct Route

Syngas → DME directly

Global Scenario

• China accounts for:

  • Nearly 90% of global DME production capacity.

Advantages of DME-Blended LPG

Cleaner Fuel

• Produces lower particulate emissions.

Import Reduction

• Can reduce dependence on imported LPG.

Utilization of Waste Resources

• Can be produced from:

  • Coal

  • Natural gas

  • Biomass

  • Municipal waste

Role of BIS in Fuel Standard Setting

The Bureau of Indian Standards plays a key role in fuel quality and safety.

1. Formulating Fuel Specifications

BIS develops technical standards for:

• Fuel composition

• Blending requirements

• Permissible impurity levels

• Safety standards

for:

• Petroleum fuels

• Lubricants

• Biofuels

• Gaseous fuels

• E-fuels

2. Biofuel and Green Fuel Standards

BIS has developed standards for:

• Anhydrous ethanol

• Biodiesel (B100)

• Biomethane/Biogas

• ED95 automotive fuel

• Paraffinic green diesel

3. Alternative Fuel Norms

BIS also frames standards for:

• Hydrogen fuel

• DME blended LPG

• Emerging alternative fuels

4. Ensuring Safety and Reliability

Fuel standards ensure:

• Consumer safety

• Reliability

• Compatibility with engines

• Reduced environmental and health hazards

Importance for India

These standards support:

• Energy transition

• Net-zero goals

• Green mobility

• Cleaner cooking fuels

• Atmanirbhar Bharat

• Sustainable transportation

Conclusion

The new BIS standards for higher ethanol blends and DME-blended LPG represent an important step toward cleaner fuels, reduced fossil fuel dependence, enhanced energy security, and promotion of alternative energy technologies in India.