Overview
- Officials say a fresh draft notification to permit vehicles using up to 85% ethanol, with test rules that could cover near‑pure ethanol, is set to be issued for feedback following meetings with oil companies and automakers.
- Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking Tuesday at a green transport conclave, urged a shift toward 100% ethanol use as a response to supply risks linked to the West Asia conflict and heavy crude dependence.
- E85 would be offered as a separate fuel grade, and only flex-fuel vehicles can use it safely because standard petrol engines face corrosion, seal damage, hard starts, and performance issues with high alcohol content.
- Automakers have prototypes but no commercial flex-fuel rollout yet, while industry groups flag lower mileage on high‑ethanol fuels, seek a clear pump build‑out plan, and push for tax relief to narrow the cost gap with EVs.
- The push follows India’s nationwide E20 rollout on April 1 and builds on supply measures such as surplus rice and sugar diversion for ethanol, an administered procurement price, and a 5% GST on ethanol for blending.