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

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New Delhi: In a significant move towards promoting cleaner transportation and reducing dependence on imported crude oil, the Central government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to permit the use of E100 fuel in specially designed flex-fuel vehicles.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the amendments on October 23, 2026, incorporating E100 alongside E85 in vehicle emission standards, fuel specifications and testing requirements.

E100 refers to fuel containing nearly 100 per cent ethanol, while E85 contains 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.

However, the government clarified that higher ethanol blends can only be used in vehicles specifically designed and certified for such fuels. Conventional petrol vehicles and those compatible with E20 cannot use E85 or E100.

Importantly, owners of existing petrol vehicles are not required to modify their engines or switch to higher ethanol blends.

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The amendments also increase the gross vehicle weight threshold for certain light petrol and diesel vehicles from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.

In June this year, Maruti Suzuki introduced its Wagon R Flex Fuel, designed to operate on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E100.

Other automobile manufacturers, including Toyota, Tata Motors and Hyundai, are also developing flex-fuel vehicles for the Indian market.

The government’s initiative aims to encourage alternative fuels, reduce carbon emissions and lower India’s dependence on expensive crude oil imports while strengthening domestic ethanol production.

Also read: Over 10 lakh vehicles wont be able to enter Delhi from this date

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