Petrol

Petrol, also known as gasoline in North America, is a flammable liquid fuel refined from crude oil and used primarily in spark-ignition internal combustion engines in road vehicles. It is the most common liquid fuel for cars and motorcycles and is distributed globally through service stations and retail outlets.

Petrol is a complex blend of hydrocarbons, typically ranging from C4 to C12 in carbon chain length. Its octane rating measures resistance to pre-ignition and knocking; higher octane fuels are used in higher-compression engines. Most modern petrol also contains additives such as detergents, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, and oxygenates; small amounts of ethanol are added in many markets (for example E5 or E10) to improve combustion and reduce emissions.

Production involves refining crude oil through distillation and subsequent processing steps (cracking, reforming, desulfurization) to yield fuels with specified properties. Blending with ethanol or other oxygenates occurs after refining. Petrol grades vary by country and by market regulation.

Environmental and health impacts include emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which contribute to climate change, air pollution, and health problems. Spills, leaks, and leaks from storage can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Safety and regulation focus on flammability, storage, and quality control. Petrol is typically sold in clearly labeled containers at regulated concentrations, with limits on sulfur content and aromatic content in many regions.

As fuel technologies evolve, petrol's role may decline in some regions due to electric vehicles and biofuels, though it remains widely used today.