Centre Amends Motor Vehicle Rules to Allow E100 Ethanol Fuel in Flex-Fuel Vehicles

The central government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to expand provisions for flex-fuel vehicles capable of operating on E100, a fuel containing nearly 100% ethanol.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued notification G.S.R. 911(E) on October 23, incorporating E100 alongside E85 in vehicle emission standards and testing requirements. The amendments took effect following their publication in the Official Gazette on October 26.

The notification specifies that “E85 or E100 shall be used in the vehicles designed by the original equipment manufacturers as Flex-fuel vehicles.”

A senior ministry official, quoted by PTI, clarified that conventional petrol vehicles and cars designed only for E20 fuel cannot use E85 or E100.

The amendments also increase the gross vehicle weight threshold in a specified emission-testing table from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg. Additional changes cover biodiesel B100, E20 petrol references and hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG).

E20 contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, while E85 contains 85% ethanol. Compatible flex-fuel vehicles can operate on different ethanol-petrol mixtures within their certified range.

The regulatory changes form part of India's wider efforts to increase ethanol use in transport and reduce dependence on imported crude oil. However, the notification does not require existing petrol vehicle owners to convert their engines or switch to higher ethanol blends.