The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the public Monday that the Central Motor Vehicles Rules have been amended to recognise flex‑fuel vehicles capable of running on pure ethanol (E100). An official from the ministry explained that this step follows the prior inclusion of E85 and expands the range of permissible ethanol blends for certified models.
Only cars that are specifically designed and certified for E100 will be able to use the higher blend; the amendment stresses that vehicles currently using E20 or conventional petrol cannot switch to E85 or E100. The notification therefore preserves the status quo for existing fleets while opening a new segment for future models.
Ethanol’s lower fossil‑carbon content means higher blends cut tail‑pipe emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and the move is positioned as a means to reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil. The government highlighted that flex‑fuel technology has proven viability in Brazil and the United States.
Manufacturers have already lined up launch schedules, with several models slated for release in the next few months. The first E100 cars are expected to hit the market by the third quarter of 2026, pending final certification approvals.