Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 2 hrs ago
India amends vehicle rules to allow certification for E100 flex-fuel cars
India amended vehicle rules to recognise E100 flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on nearly pure ethanol.
The change was notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and adds E100 alongside E85 in specified emission rules.
Only vehicles designed and certified for these fuels can use E85 or E100; ordinary petrol vehicles, including those built for E10 or E20, cannot.
India already sells E20 petrol, while a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R capable of using blends from E20 to E100 was launched in June.
The government says flex-fuel technology could reduce reliance on imported crude oil and support domestic fuel production.
Adoption remains limited, with low sales of the Wagon R and limited availability of higher-ethanol fuel.
Wider use will depend on more suitable vehicles and fuel availability, and the rules do not set a schedule for either.
India has amended vehicle rules to formally allow certification of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on E100, nearly pure ethanol.
The changes replace references to E85 with “E85 or E100” in specified emission-related provisions.
The fuels are restricted to vehicles designed and certified by manufacturers to use them, not conventional petrol vehicles.
The government says flex-fuel technology could support domestic fuel production and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
The reports differ on the notification date: Hindustan Times says the amendments were notified on October 23 and published on October 26, while The Hindu says they were notified on October 26.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- What
- It amended vehicle rules to permit certification for flex-fuel vehicles that can use E100, as well as E85.
- When
- October 2026. Hindustan Times says the amendments were notified on October 23 and published on October 26; The Hindu says they were notified on October 26.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The government says flex-fuel technology could support domestic fuel production and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maruti Suzuki launched the Wagon R Flex Fuel, capable of running on ethanol-petrol blends from E20 to E100.
Hindustan Times says the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
The amendments were published in the Gazette, according to Hindustan Times; The Hindu reports that the ministry notified the changes on this date.
- Fuel types
- E85 or E100
- Rule amended
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
- Gazette publication
- October 26, 2026
- Vehicle restriction
- E85 and E100 are for vehicles designed to use those fuels
- Light-vehicle weight threshold
- Raised to 3,500 kg from 3,000 kg, according to The Hindu
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What people are saying
Vehicles designed as Flex-fuel vehicles will not have material compatibility issues. Motorists should check the fuel compatibility sticker on their vehicle and follow the manufacturer’s guidance in the owner’s manual while opting for the fuel choice at the fuel station