E100 Flex-Fuel Vehicles Allowed as Centre Amends Motor Vehicle Rules

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, so that E100 fuel is covered alongside E85 for flex-fuel vehicles, according to a ministry statement issued on Monday, 26 October and reported by The Tribune and Business Standard. Vehicles certified to run on these ethanol-rich fuels must meet the emission and safety requirements of their category. The ministry said owners of existing vehicles need not switch fuels or modify their vehicles, now or later.

Petrol and E20 Cars Are Not Affected

The ministry said E85 and E100 are meant only for vehicles specifically designed and certified to use them. Compatibility with E10 or E20 petrol does not make a vehicle suitable for E85 or E100, The Tribune reported, and motorists should check the fuel compatibility sticker and the owner’s manual before choosing a fuel. E85 contains up to 85% ethanol by volume; E100 is almost pure ethanol.

From an April Draft to the Final Amendment

The change follows a draft the ministry published in a gazette notification on 27 April 2026. ETV Bharat reported that the draft proposed recognising E20, E85, E100, B100 (100% biodiesel) and hydrogen-CNG blends in the rules, and raising the weight limit for the related emission-testing provisions from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg. It carried a 30-day consultation period. The final amendment also corrects the biodiesel provisions and makes other technical corrections, Business Standard reported.

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E85 is already on sale. Indian Oil opened India’s first E85 outlet in Delhi on 5 June at Rs 82.12 a litre, about Rs 20 below the Rs 102.12 charged for petrol in the city, Autocar Pro reported. The oil industry has spoken of 500 E85 pumps by the end of 2026 and 5,000 by the end of 2027. Our explainer on how much of the Delhi petrol price is crude and how much is tax shows where the Rs 102.12 comes from.

Gazette Date Not Yet Published in Reports

The rules take effect on the date they are published in the Official Gazette. None of the reports gives the notification number or that date, and they do not say when E100 will reach pumps. For other policy changes, see Daily Updates.

Source: Based on reporting by The Tribune, Business Standard, ETV Bharat and Autocar Pro.

Image: Business Standard.