The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to support the adoption of flex fuel vehicles capable of using E85 and other high ethanol fuels. The amendments update the emission certification provisions by expressly including E100 alongside E85. Vehicles certified for these fuels must meet the emission and safety requirements applicable to their category.
E85 is a petrol and ethanol blend containing up to 85 per cent ethanol by volume. The letter E denotes ethanol, while the number indicates its proportion in the fuel.
Flex fuel technology is already used in countries such as Brazil and the United States. These vehicles are specially designed to operate on a range of ethanol and petrol blends using a single fuel tank. Depending on the vehicle's design and certification, this range may extend to E85 or E100, a fuel consisting predominantly of ethanol. Fuel system components and materials are selected for the approved blends, and engine controls automatically adjust operation to the fuel composition. This gives users flexibility to choose fuels within the range certified and declared by the manufacturer.
Greater use of domestically produced ethanol can reduce dependence on imported crude oil. Use of ethanol in suitably designed vehicles can help reduce certain exhaust pollutants and lower greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel's production and use, depending on the feedstock and production process.
E85/E100 is intended only for vehicles specifically designed and certified to use it and will not be applicable to the other vehicles generally available in the market or used till date. A vehicle's compatibility with E10 or E20 alone does not establish suitability for E85. This notification does not require owners of existing vehicles to switch to E85 or modify their vehicles either at present or in the future. Motorists should check the fuel compatibility sticker on their vehicle and follow the manufacturer's guidance in the owner's manual while opting for the fuel choice at the fuel station.
The notification also updates biodiesel-related provisions and makes technical corrections. The rules take effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.