# Centre amends motor vehicle rules to allow E85 and E100 ethanol fuel in flex-fuel vehicles

URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-27/e100-flex-fuel-cmvr-amendment/
Date: 27 October 2026 (2026-10-27)
Source: Indian Express, Page 15
UPSC papers: GS3
Publisher: upsc.help (Pratidin), free and open-source UPSC Civil Services current affairs. Not affiliated with UPSC. Every fact was checked against the source reports by a separate review before publishing.

**In one line:** India has changed its vehicle rules so that cars built for it can run on 85% or nearly 100% ethanol, the next step after reaching 20% blending.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to recognise E85 (85% ethanol, 15% petrol) and E100 (nearly pure ethanol) as fuels for flex-fuel vehicles. The gazette notification is dated 23 October 2026, and the ministry announced it on 26 October. The changes update emission tables, fuel specifications and testing provisions so that vehicles built for high ethanol blends can be certified (homologated) and sold. A flex-fuel vehicle is one whose engine and fuel system are designed to run on petrol, ethanol or any blend of the two.

The rules carry a clear limit: E85 and E100 can be used only in vehicles specifically designed and certified for them by their manufacturers. Vehicles approved for E20 or ordinary petrol cannot use the higher grades, and existing owners are not required to change fuel or modify their cars. The amendment also raises the weight limit for the light petrol and diesel vehicles covered by the relevant testing provisions from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg. Maruti Suzuki launched the Wagon R Flex Fuel, described as India's first flex-fuel passenger vehicle able to run on E20 to E100, in June 2026, and other carmakers are reported to be developing such models.

The change builds on India's ethanol blending programme. The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, amended in June 2022, advanced the target of 20% ethanol in petrol (E20) from 2030 to 2025-26, and India reached 20% blending in 2025. Government figures cited at the time put ethanol production at over 660 crore litres in 2025, up from 38 crore litres in 2014, with foreign exchange savings of about ₹1.36 lakh crore. The government says higher blends cut crude imports and tailpipe emissions. Concerns raised about the push include competition between food and fuel for grain and sugarcane, the small number of flex-fuel models on sale, and the need to judge ethanol by its full life-cycle emissions.

## Prelims facts

- MoRTH's amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, notified on 23 October 2026, recognises E85 and E100 as fuels for flex-fuel vehicles.
- E85 and E100 may be used only in vehicles designed and certified for them by manufacturers; E20 and petrol vehicles cannot use them.
- The weight limit for the light petrol and diesel vehicles covered by the testing provisions rises from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
- The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 (amended 2022) advanced the E20 target from 2030 to 2025-26; India reached 20% blending in 2025.
- Maruti Suzuki's Wagon R Flex Fuel (June 2026) is described as India's first flex-fuel passenger vehicle.

## Quick recall

- **What is E100?** Fuel that is nearly pure ethanol.
- **What is E85?** A blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.
- **Which rules were amended to recognise E85 and E100?** The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, by MoRTH (notification dated 23 October 2026).
- **Which vehicles may use E85 and E100?** Only vehicles specifically designed and certified for them by manufacturers (flex-fuel vehicles).
- **New weight limit for light petrol and diesel vehicles under the testing provisions?** 3,500 kg, raised from 3,000 kg.
- **When did the 2022 amendment to the biofuel policy set the E20 deadline?** It advanced the E20 target from 2030 to 2025-26.
- **When did India reach 20% ethanol blending?** In 2025, ahead of the original 2030 target.
- **Which car is described as India's first flex-fuel passenger vehicle?** Maruti Suzuki's Wagon R Flex Fuel, launched in June 2026.

## Prelims practice question

With reference to the amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules notified in October 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It recognises E100 as a fuel for vehicles certified by manufacturers as flex-fuel vehicles.
2. It permits all vehicles approved for E20 to run on E85.
3. It requires owners of existing petrol vehicles to convert them to flex-fuel within a deadline.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 only. Only statement 1 is correct. E85 and E100 are limited to vehicles designed and certified for them, so E20 vehicles cannot use E85 (statement 2 is wrong). Existing owners are not required to switch fuel or modify their vehicles (statement 3 is wrong).

## UPSC previous-year questions this connects to

- UPSC Prelims 2020, Prelims: According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (https://upsc.help/pyq/prelims/#q353)
- UPSC Mains 2026, GS3: Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability? (https://upsc.help/pyq/q061-key-challenges-india-s-energy-security-measures/)
  How to use this story in the answer: Use ethanol blending as an example of reducing crude import dependence while noting its sustainability trade-offs.
- UPSC Mains 2025, GS3: How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour? (https://upsc.help/pyq/q063-can-india-achieve-energy-independence-through-clean/)
  How to use this story in the answer: Cite ethanol blending and the new flex-fuel rules as a clean-fuel pathway towards energy independence.

## Mains practice question

India has achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol and has now notified rules for E100 flex-fuel vehicles. Discuss the benefits and concerns of moving to higher ethanol blends. (150 words)

### Model answer

In October 2026 the Road Transport Ministry amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to recognise E85 and E100 for certified flex-fuel vehicles, after India reached E20 in 2025.

## Benefits
- **Energy security:** ethanol replaces imported crude; government figures put forex savings from blending at about ₹1.36 lakh crore.
- **Farm incomes:** sugarcane, damaged grains and other feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 create demand for farm produce.
- **Emissions:** the government says higher blends cut tailpipe emissions.
- **Industry:** clear certification rules for flex-fuel models such as the Wagon R Flex Fuel (June 2026).

## Concerns
- **Food versus fuel:** grain and sugarcane diverted to ethanol can strain food supply and water.
- **Limited vehicles:** E85 and E100 are only for certified flex-fuel vehicles, of which few are on sale.
- **Life-cycle emissions:** gains depend on how ethanol is grown and processed.

Higher blends can serve energy security if feedstocks shift to surplus and waste biomass and pump and vehicle supply grow together.

## The basics

## Why this matters
India imports most of the crude oil it uses. Ethanol, an alcohol made from sugarcane, grain and other biomass, can replace part of the petrol in cars. After reaching 20% blending, the government has now written rules that let specially built cars run on 85% or even nearly 100% ethanol.

## The letters and numbers
In fuel names, 'E' stands for ethanol and the number is its percentage. E20 is 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. E85 is 85% ethanol. E100 is nearly pure ethanol. Ordinary cars can handle low blends; high blends need a Flex-fuel vehicle.

## How India got to E20
The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 set a 20% target for 2030. A June 2022 amendment pulled it forward to 2025-26, and India reached 20% in 2025.

## What the new rules change
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 decide how vehicles are tested and approved. The amendment updates emission tables, fuel specifications and testing provisions for E85 and E100, so carmakers have a clear path to certify flex-fuel models.

## The trade-offs
Ethanol saves foreign exchange and supports farmers, but it competes with food and water when made from grain and sugarcane. Its climate benefit depends on how it is produced, so it should be judged by its whole life cycle, not just the tailpipe.

## Sources

- https://www.business-standard.com/industry/auto/govt-amends-motor-vehicle-rules-to-allow-flex-fuel-vehicles-running-on-e100-126102600763_1.html
- https://www.autocarpro.in/news/morth-amends-cmvr-to-formalise-e100-b100-testing-norms-raises-light-vehicle-test-limit-to-3500-kg-135484
- https://indianopinion.org/government-notifies-e100-flex-fuel-registration-rules-ahead-of-car-launches/
- https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2025-07-24/environment/india-achieves-20-ethanol-blending-in-petrol-five-years-ahead-of-schedule
- https://iea.org/policies/17006-national-policy-on-biofuels-2022-amendment