What is White Petrol & How it is Different from Normal Petrol?

Petroleum is categorised into black and white oils. The latter constitutes a portion of kerosene formed during the crude oil distillation. It is thin and transparent with general hydrocarbon content and is used in space jets and aeroplanes. This oil is known as white petrol.

Keep scrolling for more details about white petrol price in India and its uses and more.

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What is White Petrol?
What is Normal Petrol?
White Petrol vs Normal Petrol
Price Difference
Uses of White Petrol
White Petrol Uses in Airplanes
White Petrol for Cars/Bikes
Frequently Asked Questions

What is White Petrol?

White petrol— or petroleum ether or refined petroleum spirit (RPS)— is a highly purified fraction obtained from the low boiling point of petroleum distillation. It appears transparent, lacking any colouration; its composition consists mainly of volatile hydrocarbons like pentane and hexane.

With its narrow boiling point range between 35-60°C, white petrol finds wide application as a solvent in both industrial and laboratory settings. A keen ability to dissolve fats, oils, and even resins sets it apart for use in paint thinners or camping stove fuel, indicating that white petrol is invaluable as part of various cleaning agents or paints/vanishes, too.

Its flammability notwithstanding, it evaporates quickly at normal room temperature, which also makes this solvent ideal for extraction purposes (of essential oils) or cleaning delicate electronics without causing damage by water or other solvents.

What is Normal Petrol?

The typical fuel utilised for vehicle engines is petrol. Alternatively known as gasoline, it is a processed fossil fuel obtained from crude oil via fractional distillation. The chemical nature of this substance is that it consists of hydrocarbons— a flammable liquid mixture of alkanes and cycloalkanes, among other compositions.

Although widely used in internal combustion engines due to its combustibility and high energy content value, petrol composition differs since it contains additives. These are mixed during refining to increase performance levels while reducing emissions produced when burning the fuel down.

Despite numerous advancements made by alternative fuels, petrol continues to play an important role as one of the major energy sources in transportation; this support comes from its wide availability and infrastructure support present globally.

White Petrol vs Normal Petrol: Key Differences

The major differences between white petrol and normal petrol are tabulated below:

White Petrol (Petroleum Ether)	Normal Petrol (Gasoline)
Highly purified, low-boiling fraction of petroleum	Refined fossil fuel derived from crude oil
Clear, colourless, and volatile	Typically clear and colourless
Mainly composed of pentane and hexane	Mixtures of alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons
Boiling point range: 35-60°C	Boiling point range: 30-200°C (varies with composition)
Used as a solvent in industrial and laboratory applications	Primarily used as fuel for internal combustion engines
Excellent solvent for fats, oils, resins	Energy-dense with high combustibility
Flammable and evaporates rapidly at ambient temperatures	It is also used in paints, varnishes, and cleaning agents
Used in extracting essential oils and delicate cleaning	Additives are used to enhance performance and reduce emissions

Price Difference Between White Petrol and Ordinary Petrol

White Petrol	Normal Petrol
It is a more expensive fuel as it is cleaner and purer.	It is comparatively cheaper due to the lesser number of extraction processes required.
Current price: ₹200 per litre(approx)	Current price: ₹94.72 - ₹104.95

Aviation fuel is costlier than ordinary petrol. However, the cost of white petrol saw a plunge in the previous year, thanks to the current global economic slump.

As of 2021, the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel increased to ₹59,400.91 per kilolitre. The rates have increased by 3.6% since 16th February and by ₹3,246.75 per kilolitre since 1st February. On a total average, there has been approximately a 6.5% rise in the price of white petrol in India.

This limits the demand of Indian air travellers. The news further creates a setback in the aviation sector after prolonged disruptions due to the current global scenario. On the other hand, petrol prices rose by ₹4.87 per litre in the last 2 months.

Top 3 Uses of White Petrol Oil

White petrol oil finds its application in the following areas –

Domestic usage – The residents of less developed countries use white petrol for cooking and lighting. It is also widely used for cleaning purposes, including removing spots off clothes and glass surfaces.
Transport oil – As discussed earlier, it is also used as jet fuel. RP1 burned with oxygen is used as rocket fuel.
Industrial use – The chemical industry uses petroleum as a solvent or a chemical-grade lubricant. White petrol or kerosene is also widely used for performances, such as fire juggling and fire breathing in the entertainment industry.

White Petrol Prices in Top 10 Cities in India in 2025

Given below is a list of the top 10 cities with the prices of white petrol in the respective city.

City	Price (₹/kilolitre)
Delhi	₹107,750.27
Kolkata	₹115,091.33
Mumbai	₹106,695.61
Chennai	₹112,497.99
Bengaluru	₹110,478.65
Hyderabad	₹109,286.92
Guwahati	₹113,284.50
Ahmedabad	₹108,924.10
Trivandrum	₹114,720.15
Chandigarh	₹107,211.85

Why White Petrol is Used in Aeroplanes?

White petrol, also known as aviation gasoline (avgas), is an exclusive fuel for piston-driven aeroplanes. Unlike its common counterpart, this specialised white petrol is immaculately refined— rid of any impurity that might compromise its consistent performance at great altitudes or fluctuating temperatures.

Consistency is achieved through its purity and stable high-octane quality, ensuring safety and efficiency during flight. Also possessing a curious low freezing point, it's almost as if white petrol is tailor-made for extreme temperatures at high altitudes.

Can You Use White Petrol for Your Cars or Bikes?

The answer depends on the type of engine your vehicle sports – petrol or diesel. Jet fuel has multiple variants. Among them, Jet-A is lead-free kerosene and can be used in vehicles with diesel engines.

However, a lack of lubricants may lead to long-term damage to your diesel engine. Further, jet fuel has a high volumetric energy density, preventing its quick evaporation. It becomes difficult to start your car with the spark-ignition engine, which ultimately may catch fire.

Thus, simply put, motorists can use jet fuel, but it is not advisable.

The white petrol price in India saw a remarkable recovery this year despite the economic downturn. With its multiple uses in different sectors, the increase in its prices and eliminated subsidy will significantly impact all industries, be it domestic or transport.

FAQs about White Petrol

All

How much does white petrol cost per litre in India?

The price of white petrol per litre in India is approximately ₹200.

What is the average cost of white petrol or ATF in the domestic airlines of Mumbai and Kolkata?

The average cost of ATF or Aviation Turbine Fuel for domestic airlines in the following cities are:

Mumbai - ₹67,384.77 per kilolitre.
Kolkata - ₹73,191.48 per kilolitre.

Who is responsible for controlling the fuel at the airports?

The airport authority is responsible for controlling the fuel at the airport.

Who is the supplier of aviation fuel in India?

Indian Oil is the only company that supplies aviation fuel for various aircraft in India.

What is the colour of white petrol?

White petrol is thin and transparent.

What is the boiling point for white petrol?

The boiling point for white petrol is 150°C - 250°C.

Is white petrol used for dry cleaning?

Yes. White petrol is used for dry cleaning as it is an excellent agent for removing spots from the cloth.

Which car uses white petrol?

The only car that uses white petrol is the Rolls Royce.

What is the smell of jet fuel?

Jet fuel smells almost the same as kerosene. It is difficult for a normal person to distinguish the two based on smell.

Do helicopters also use the same fuel as aeroplanes?

To an extent, helicopters and aeroplanes indeed use the same fuel. However, slight variations exist in the type of white petrol used in the two aircraft.

What is the authority that controls the airports in India?

The Airports Authority of India is the authority that controls the airports across the country.

Which country has the lowest fuel price?

Venezuela possesses the largest reserves of crude oil globally, resulting in remarkably inexpensive fuel costs.

Is jet fuel the same as white petrol?

No. White petrol or avgas is used in piston-engine aircraft, whereas jet fuel such as Jet-A is used in turbine-engine aircraft.

What advantages does white petrol offer when used in an aircraft?

A few advantages white petrol offers include its high octane rating that helps avoid engine knocking and its higher freezing points and boiling points, which offer greater stability at higher altitudes.

Does white petrol cause pollution?

Like other fossil fuels, white petrol also has an environmental impact. However, efforts are ongoing to develop a more sustainable version of it.

What additives can be added to white petrol?

The additive includes Tetraethyl Lead(TEL) which is for octane enhancement and also helps to prevent gum formation and corrosion.

How is white petrol obtained?

The white petrol is obtained after a lot of refining process that removes impurities and blends high-octane components.

Is it safe to store white petrol at home?

Yes. Just note the safety measures like preventing direct exposure to sunlight and keeping it in a cool and ventilated space, and you should be able to store white petrol safely.