India Clears E100 Fuel for Specially Built Flex-Fuel Vehicles

E100 now has a place in India’s motor vehicle rules, but only specially designed cars can use it. The Road Transport Ministry amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to recognise E85 and E100 for flex-fuel vehicles built to run on those fuels. The change took effect when it appeared in the Official Gazette on October 26. It does not make E100 suitable for every petrol car. ^1,4

That limit is central to the change. The ministry’s October 23 notice amended Rule 115, which covers vehicle emissions, and replaced references to E85 with “E85 or E100” in relevant rules. The government published draft changes in April and considered public feedback before issuing the final version. E20, the petrol blend containing 20 per cent ethanol already used in India, remains a different fuel category. ^4,8

E20 cars cannot simply switch to E100. Higher ethanol blends need vehicles designed and approved to handle them; ordinary petrol vehicles are not automatically compatible. Flex-fuel vehicles can use different petrol-and-ethanol mixtures, but their engines and fuel systems must suit the fuels they are approved to use. The amendment also raises the weight limit in a specified emissions table from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg. It does not change driving licence rules or make existing diesel vehicles suitable for pure biodiesel. ^1,3

That approval gives automakers a clearer path to get E100-capable vehicles certified, while leaving fuel supply and adoption unresolved. Maruti Suzuki introduced its Wagon R Flex Fuel in June, designed for blends from E20 to E100; other carmakers are also developing flex-fuel models. The amendment does not promise nationwide E100 sales or set a rollout date. The next practical step is for manufacturers to bring compatible, approved vehicles to market and for fuel supply to follow. ^6,8,5