No high octane fuel for high-end cars here

The owners of high-end luxury vehicles are having a hard time these days. As the superior quality 97-octane petrol is not available at petrol pumps across the city, residents have to drive down all the way to Delhi to get their vehicles refuelled. Deevakar Anand reports.

The owners of high-end luxury vehicles are having a hard time these days.

HT Image

As the superior quality 97-octane petrol is not available at petrol pumps across the city, residents have to drive down all the way to Delhi to get their vehicles refuelled.

A higher octane rated petrol caters to high-compression engines, which further enhance the vehicle's performance.

Also, the 97-octane petrol is available at selected fuel stations in Delhi. These are located in posh South Delhi areas such as Chanakyapuri, Race Course Road and Mehrauli.

A Gurgaon-based road-trip enthusiast, Raju Verma, told HT, "I along with my friends carry a gallon of 97-octane petrol every time we go out in our car."

Going by the official figures, 249 Mercedes, 555 BMWs, 412 Audis and 12 Porches were registered in Gurgaon in the last financial year. However, not all the models of these brands have to refuelled with the 97-octane petrol.

Sharad Goel, who runs a chain of fuel stations in Gurgaon and Delhi but does not sell 97-octane petrol, says it's a non-profitable venture.

"One has to buy a stock of at least 12,000 litres of 97-octane petrol in one go. There are not many takers of this fuel. A good portion of the fuel is wasted as it evaporates fast," he said.