MS stands for Motor Spirit, the trade name for petrol. HSD stands for High Speed Diesel, the diesel sold for vehicles. Invoices, stock registers and the oil companies' rules use MS and HSD; customers say petrol and diesel.
The terms
| Term | Means | Indian standard |
|---|---|---|
| MS | Motor Spirit: petrol | IS 2796 |
| MG | Motor Gasoline: the same as MS | IS 2796 |
| EBMS, E10, E20 | Petrol with 10% or 20% ethanol | IS 2796, IS 17021 (E20) |
| HSD | High Speed Diesel: vehicle diesel | IS 1460 |
| B7, B20 | Diesel with biodiesel mixed in | IS 1460, IS 16531 |
How to tell them apart in a sample
| Petrol (MS) | Diesel (HSD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Density at 15 °C (BS-VI) | 720 to 775 kg/m³ | 810 to 845 kg/m³ |
| Colour | Orange (MG 91), red (MG 95) | Reported, often pale yellow |
| Evaporates | Quickly | Slowly |
The colours are from MDG 2024’s specification table for petrol grades: orange for 91 octane and red for 95.
Why it matters at the pump
Every register, invoice and tank label says MS or HSD. A tank holding the wrong product is a costly mistake at decanting, so check the invoice, the compartment and the tank’s label against each other every time. In the Dip Density app petrol is always green and diesel always blue for the same reason.
Figures here are for reference. Your oil company’s certified calibration chart, approved instruments and the Marketing Discipline Guidelines always prevail.
Questions
Is Motor Gasoline the same as Motor Spirit?
Yes. MDG 2024 states it plainly: 'Product Motor Spirit and Motor Gasoline are one and the same.'
What is EBMS?
Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit: petrol with ethanol mixed in, such as E10 or E20. It is still MS.