What is White Petrol, and is it used in cars?

In India, the issue of fuel prices keeps making the headlines. It makes sense to find out if any alternative kind of gasoline performs better. White Petrol, the name itself sounds like a premium and fancy version of gasoline. But although the name of the petrol is derived to imply affiliation with automobiles, it does not target ordinary automobiles. Rather, it is very specifically used in industries and aviation.

White petrol, aviation fuel, or aviation spirit is extremely refined and purified gasoline. It does not contain impurities such as aromatics, dyes, or other additives that are typically found in petrol purchased at fuel stations. That makes it more flammable and very explosive. 

It is made by the low-boiling-point portion of the petroleum distillation, leaving the product free of the additives and impurities that are present in the traditional automotive gasoline. By chemical structure, it consists of heavier chains of hydrocarbons of around 12 to 15 carbon atoms per mole, as opposed to regular petrol.

Due to its purity and characteristics, white petrol burns cleaner than ordinary petrol. It is also more expensive to produce. But its purity does not make it more efficient; instead, a car may have its engine damaged because of inappropriate fuel. The engines of cars are designed to operate with general petrol that is usually available at the fuel pumps and has the additives in it that protect the engine and increase the engine performance and efficiency. It does not contain such protective additives, and, therefore, it may cause poor performance, knocking, or damage to the engine in the long term in a normal car.  So basically, paying the white petrol cost does not upgrade cars but rather causes damage.

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White petrol is mostly used in the aviation sector, especially in small aircraft and in certain helicopters. The Aviation industry needs fuel that is very clean, uniform, and able to burn efficiently at high altitudes. Any trace of impurity may disrupt the engine performance in the air, and a spill may be risky. It is the reason why white petrol is used in the aviation sector; it is reliable, safe, and it burns efficiently in extreme conditions. Other than aviation, other industries include laboratories and cleaning industries, and it is used as a solvent due to its purity and chemical stability. It is also used in camping stoves and lanterns.

The answer is a straightforward no, as it is not appropriate for cars, bikes, or any other common vehicles. The reasons for this restriction include:

• High Volatility: A greater rate of evaporation and burns in different ways, and these characteristics may hamper the operation of car engines.
• Cost Factor: White petrol costs much more than regular petrol and hence cannot be used daily.
• Absence of Additives: Unlike normal petrol, it does not have any additives that lubricate and protect the engine. Thus, it may damage the engine quickly.
• Engine Compatibility: Vehicle engines are only designed for regular gasoline, like petrol, diesel, or CNG.

It is always better to stay with the fuel type prescribed by the manufacturer, be it standard petrol or diesel, depending on the car one is using. For example, using white petrol could lead to the fuel pump failing, a repair that can cost thousands of rupees and is typically not covered by standard vehicle warranties.

The price of white petrol depends on demand, importation costs, and usage in the industry. It may be costly, more expensive than the normal gasoline used by cars. While normal gasoline is regulated and retailed at all the fuel stations around the country, it is typically found with special suppliers or aviation fuel suppliers. White petrol costs are high due to limited supply and niche nature. This would make it more impossible for an average car owner. In this economy, it is unwise to spend more money on fuel unusable in a car’s engine.

Although the name may not indicate this, white petrol is unsuitable for cars. It is an oil that is highly refined and exclusive to the aviation industry and some other industries. Ordinary car engines are not designed to use white petrol, and its usage may even cause more harm than beneficial effects. The use of exotic-sounding fuels such as white petrol may raise some interest, but they are not meant to be used on a daily drive.