As per the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution, BSTI, the minimum octane number for fuel is 87 but certain tests have revealed that the number at many filling stations is below 80. Consequently, the sub-standard fuel is affecting the engines of the vehicles but more alarmingly, the emissions result in environmental pollution. One solution suggestion is the rating of octane and mentioning it at the petrol pumps. An octane rating, or octane number, is a standard measure of the performance of an engine or aviation fuel.

 The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating (igniting). In broad terms, fuels with a higher octane rating are used in high-performance gasoline engines that require higher compression ratios. In developed countries, some petrol stations may offer up to five different petrol ratings, including a super premium that typically has a rating of 93. But regular petrol ratings start from 87. In India, for instance, the minimum octane number required for sale of petrol is 91.

Adulteration of fuel is a persistent problem because in Bangladesh kerosene or diesel is often added to the octane, lowering the quality of the fuel. In such a situation the government can take several remedial steps, first to introduce fuel rating under which the petrol pumps will sell premium and regular quality fuel. The authority must monitor the stations to ensure that the fuel sold meets the set standards. Secondly, based on information gathered on the stations, the city corporation can release a list of trustworthy stations giving them approval ratings. Those which do not meet the standards can be given a time to improve or be deprived of any official seals. Thirdly, punishment or fines have to be handed out in cases where evidence of adulteration has been found. The cases can be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment, DoE, since such fuel severely vitiate the air of the city. As a last resort, more electronic vehicles or hybrid ones can be encouraged. In Dhaka, there are quite a large number of hybrid cars so, the popularize them more, the government can take initiatives through the BRTA. The vehicle owners also have a responsibility since low quality fuel destroys their cars. The first sings of diluted fuel are engine coughing, delay in acceleration, emission of black smoke etc. Once these are noticed, car owners can take legal steps or inform the authority.