Centre allows flex-fuel vehicles to run on 100% ethanol fuel
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New Delhi: The Centre has revised motor vehicle regulations to permit flex-fuel vehicles to operate on E100, a fuel consisting almost entirely of ethanol, expanding the range of alternative fuel options available to compatible vehicles.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued the amendment to the Motor Vehicles Rules on Friday, with the changes taking effect on Monday. The revised framework allows flex-fuel vehicles to use both E100 and E85, a blend containing 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.
The approval does not extend to conventional petrol vehicles, including those built to use E20, which comprises 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. Such vehicles are not designed to run on higher-concentration fuels such as E85 and E100.
The move comes as India expands its ethanol-blending programme, which requires petrol sold nationwide to contain 20 per cent ethanol. Produced mainly from sugarcane and food grains, ethanol is intended to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, lower emissions and support agricultural incomes.
However, the E20 rollout has drawn complaints from motorists concerned about reduced fuel efficiency and potential engine damage. A LocalCircles survey published on July 5 found that 53 per cent of participating petrol vehicle owners considered the government's implementation of the programme ineffective or disastrous.
The latest amendment broadens fuel options for vehicles specifically engineered for high-ethanol blends, but does not authorise ordinary petrol vehicles to use them.