E100 ethanol fuel: Centre approves vehicles running on 100% ethanol
PTC Web Desk: The Centre has cleared the use of E100 fuel, which contains 100 per cent ethanol, in vehicles built with flex-fuel technology. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, paving the way for vehicles that run on almost pure ethanol.
According to the gazette notification, E100 has now been added alongside E85 in the vehicle emission standards. The notification states that E85 or E100 can be used only in vehicles that manufacturers have designed as flex-fuel vehicles.
For context, E100 is made up entirely of ethanol, while E85 contains 85 per cent ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles are built to run on petrol, ethanol or a blend of the two in varying proportions.
Aimed at cutting dependence on petrol
The amendment is seen as significant given India’s push to increase the use of ethanol in the transport sector and reduce its reliance on conventional petrol.
However, the new rules apply only to specially designed vehicles. This does not mean that E100 can be filled in all regular petrol-run vehicles.
Under the amended rules, several provisions of Rule 115, which deals with vehicle emission standards, now read “E85 or E100” in place of “E85”. The Centre has also raised the gross vehicle weight limit in the relevant emission standards from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
What happens next
The changes follow the draft rules issued on April 27, 2026, when the public and other stakeholders were invited to submit objections and suggestions. The ministry said the Centre considered the feedback it received before finalising the amendments.
As per the notification, the amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette. No timeline has been announced yet for when E100 fuel will be commercially available across the country.
- PTC NEWS
