Overview
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to include E100 alongside E85 in emission and testing provisions and raised a gross vehicle weight threshold to 3,500 kg.
- The Gazette notification that enacted the change was published on October 23, 2026, and it formally limits E85 and E100 use to vehicles specifically designed and certified by original equipment manufacturers as flex‑fuel models.
- The amendment provides a clear type‑approval and certification pathway for OEMs to design, certify and register dedicated flex‑fuel cars but does not permit existing petrol or E20 vehicles to run on E85 or E100.
- Commercial uptake is nascent: Maruti Suzuki launched a Wagon R flex‑fuel model in June and public fuel stations selling high‑ethanol blends remain few, with the petroleum ministry reporting 48 initial outlets and plans for roughly 500 by December 2026 and 5,000 by December 2027.
- Adoption will hinge on practical factors including ethanol pump coverage, pump prices relative to petrol given ethanol’s lower energy per litre, vehicle cost and consumer acceptance, and coordinated policy on procurement, taxation and supply chains.