Arya News - The Indian government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, allowing flex-fuel vehicles designed to run on E85 and E100 fuel – as the country pushes for greater ethanol adoption amid the ongoing controversy over E20 petrol.
NEW DELHI – In a significant policy decision, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, allowing flex-fuel vehicles that can run on E85 and E100 fuel
According to a Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under G.S.R. 911(E), “E85 or E100 shall be used in the vehicles designed by the original equipment manufacturers as Flex-fuel vehicles.”
E100 refers to fuel containing 100 per cent ethanol, while E85 is a blend of fuel that contains 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.
Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to operate on different blends of petrol and ethanol.
Why E100 rule matters and what changes with it?
The amendment is significant as India seeks to expand the use of ethanol in transport and reduce its dependence on conventional petrol.
However, the provision applies specifically to vehicles designed by manufacturers for such fuels and does not permit their use in all petrol-powered vehicles.
Under the amended rules, references to “E85” in multiple provisions of Rule 115, which deals with vehicle emission standards, have been replaced with “E85 or E100”.
The government has also revised the gross vehicle weight threshold specified in the relevant emission standards from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
The notification states that “the figure and words ‘3500 kg’ shall be substituted” in place of the earlier 3,000 kg limit.
The BACKSTORY
The amendments follow draft rules issued on April 27, 2026, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders.
The ministry said that “the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been considered by the Central Government.”
According to the notification, the amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The changes provide a regulatory framework for E100-compatible flex-fuel vehicles, although the notification does not announce any timeline for the commercial availability of E100 fuel across the country.
E20 petrol row
While the government may be moving towards its goal of 100 oer cent ethanol powered vehicles, the row over E20 petrol still persists.
In recent months, demonstrations have been held across several parts of the country over E20 petrol.
Protesters alleged that E20 fuel is causing extensive damage to the engine of their vehicles and demanded the government to allow consumers choose from pure petrol and E20 petrol options.
However, the governement has not indicated any policy change towards E20 fuel so far.