History of Gasoline in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 12, 2026

Gasoline, also known as petrol, is a flammable, yellowish liquid derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum. Primarily used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines, it's a high-volume product of crude oil refineries. Gasoline consists of organic compounds and is often enhanced with additives to improve its performance. It can also be used as an inhalant.

1943: Development of high-octane fuel for aircraft engines

In 1943, the Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engine achieved a power output of 980 kilowatts (1,320 hp) using 100 RON fuel, highlighting the importance of high-octane gasoline for enhanced air power. By Operation Overlord, RAF and USAAF were using 150 RON fuel, leading to the Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 reaching 1,500 kilowatts (2,000 hp).

1973: EPA regulations to reduce lead content in gasoline issued

In 1973, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued regulations aimed at reducing the lead content of leaded gasoline, though their implementation was delayed until 1976 due to court appeals.

1973: Distillation permits made easy in the US

Since the 1973 oil crisis, it has been easy to obtain a BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) distillation permit in the U.S., facilitating the production of bioethanol.

1976: Implementation of EPA regulations to reduce lead content in gasoline begins

Implementation of the EPA regulations to reduce the lead content of leaded gasoline, which were issued in 1973, began in 1976 after delays due to court appeals.

1993: Gasoline Sniffing Concerns in Davis Inlet, Canada

In 1993, national concern arose in Canada regarding Native children in the isolated Northern Labrador community of Davis Inlet who were found to be sniffing gasoline.

1995: Leaded fuel accounts for only 0.6 percent of total gasoline sales in the U.S.

By 1995, leaded fuel's market share in the U.S. had decreased significantly, representing only 0.6 percent of total gasoline sales.

January 1996: U.S. Clean Air Act bans leaded fuel for on-road vehicles

In January 1996, the U.S. Clean Air Act officially banned the sale of leaded fuel for use in on-road vehicles across the United States.

1998: Gasoline price fluctuation between $0.26 and $0.53 per liter

From 1998, the price of gasoline fluctuated between $0.26 and $0.53 per liter.

December 1999: Leaded gasoline withdrawn from sale in Britain

After December 31, 1999, leaded gasoline was withdrawn from sale in Britain. This followed EEC regulations signaling the end of production for cars using leaded gasoline in member states seven years prior.

2000: Gasoline Sniffing Problems Reported in Sheshatshiu

In 2000, similar gasoline sniffing problems to those in Davis Inlet were reported in Sheshatshiu, Canada.

2002: Inhalant Abuse Problems Continue in Natuashish after Relocation

Despite being moved to the new community of Natuashish in 2002, serious inhalant abuse problems, including gasoline sniffing, continued among children in the community.

2003: Many gas stations withdraw LRP from sale

By 2003, the declining number of cars using leaded replacement petrol (LRP) on British roads led many gasoline stations to withdraw it from sale.

2003: Safety Data Sheet for Texan Unleaded Gasoline Reveals Hazardous Chemicals

In 2003, the safety data sheet for a Texan unleaded gasoline revealed the presence of at least 15 hazardous chemicals in various amounts, including benzene, toluene, naphthalene, trimethylbenzene, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).

2004: Ethanol production in the U.S. exceeds 13 billion liters

In 2004, the United States produced over 13 billion liters of ethanol for fuel use, primarily from corn, which was mostly sold as E10.

2004: Gasoline price fluctuation between $0.26 and $0.53 per liter

Until 2004, the price of gasoline fluctuated between $0.26 and $0.53 per liter.

2005: Introduction of Opal fuel in remote Australian communities to combat petrol sniffing

In 2005, the Government of Australia and BP Australia began using Opal fuel, a non-sniffable fuel, in remote areas prone to petrol sniffing.

May 2006: Federal requirement that RFG contain oxygen was dropped

In May 2006, the federal requirement in the U.S. that Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) contain oxygen was dropped because the industry had developed VOC-controlled RFG that did not need additional oxygen.

October 2007: India decides to make five percent ethanol blending with gasoline mandatory

In October 2007, the Government of India decided to make five percent ethanol blending (with gasoline) mandatory.

2007: New South Wales mandates biofuel in its Biofuels Act

In 2007, New South Wales, Australia, mandated biofuel through its Biofuels Act.

2008: Average gasoline price reaches a high of $1.09 per liter

In mid-2008, the average gasoline price reached a high of $1.09 per liter.

May 2009: Premium grade gasoline sales in the U.S.

About nine percent of all gasoline sold in the U.S. in May 2009 was premium grade.

September 2009: Gasoline price recedes to approximately $0.69 per liter

By September 2009, the price of gasoline had receded to approximately $0.69 per liter after reaching a high in 2008.

2009: Federal tax on gasoline and diesel in the U.S.

As of 2009, the federal tax in the U.S. was $0.049 per liter for gasoline and $0.064 per liter for diesel.

2009: Renewable percentage in gasoline starts to increase

From 2009, the renewable percentage in gasoline slowly increased from 5%.

2011: U.S. experiences an upswing in gasoline prices

The U.S. experienced an upswing in gasoline prices to 2011.

March 2012: National average gasoline price is $0.99 per liter

By March 1, 2012, the national average price of gasoline in the U.S. was $0.99 per liter.

2012: Gasoline Sniffing Issue Re-emerges in Canadian News Media

In 2012, the issue of gasoline sniffing in indigenous communities once again made the news media in Canada.

2017: Queensland has a biofuel mandate

Since 2017, Queensland, Australia, has had a biofuel mandate.

August 2021: UN announces leaded gasoline eradicated worldwide

In August 2021, the UN Environment Programme declared the worldwide eradication of leaded gasoline, with Algeria being the last country to deplete its reserves. UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed it as an "international success story." Greenpeace called it "the end of one toxic era".

2021: Oil products responsible for 32% of CO2 emissions worldwide

In 2021, oil products, including gasoline, were responsible for approximately 32% of CO2 emissions worldwide, contributing to human-caused climate change.

2021: IEA calls for monitoring and reducing gap between real-world fuel economy and rated performance

In 2021, the International Energy Agency stated, "To ensure fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards are effective, governments must continue regulatory efforts to monitor and reduce the gap between real-world fuel economy and rated performance."

2021: IEA advocates for taxing road fuels based on health and climate impact

In 2021, the International Energy Agency suggested that "road fuels should be taxed at a rate that reflects their impact on people's health and the climate".

2022: Renewable percentage in gasoline reaches 10%

By 2022, the renewable percentage in gasoline slowly increased to 10%.

2024: 8 countries in the EU have not adopted E10

As of 2024, 8 countries in the EU have not adopted E10, even though EU-produced ethanol can achieve a climate-neutral production capability and most EU cars can use E10.