E100 fuel gets govt nod

The government has notified  amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, officially clearing the way for vehicles that can run on E100 fuel, which contains nearly 100 per cent ethanol. The move aims to promote flex-fuel vehicles, reduce dependence on imported crude oil and cut emissions.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the amendments to the 1989 Rules on October 23, incorporating E100 alongside E85 in the rules governing vehicle emission standards, fuel specifications and testing procedures.

The revised rules will allow automobile manufacturers to develop and introduce vehicles designed to run on higher ethanol blends.

E85 and E100 fuels can however, be used only in vehicles specifically designed and certified for them. Conventional petrol cars, including those designed to run on E20 fuel, will not be allowed to use these higher ethanol blends.

The amendment expands the regulatory framework to accommodate vehicles capable of running on these higher ethanol blends. Such vehicles are known as flex-fuel vehicles because they are designed to operate on different proportions of ethanol and petrol.

With the government now formally incorporating E100 into the relevant motor vehicle rules, the change is significant for automobile manufacturers preparing to introduce vehicles that can run on higher ethanol blends.