Road ministry adjusts vehicle rules to permit E100 ethanol engines and raise weight limit

UPDATE - follow-up to Government amends motor vehicle rules to permit pure ethanol flex-fuel vehicles: The Road Transport Ministry notified changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to permit flex-fuel vehicles that run on up to E100, which is nearly pure ethanol.

Updates

A senior ministry official stated that fuel beyond E20 and up to E100 is meant only for vehicles specifically designed and certified for it, meaning normal cars or E20 cars cannot use E85 or E100 fuel. The government also changed vehicle classification thresholds, fuel specifications, and technical references in emission tables and testing rules. Along with these updates, authorities raised the vehicle weight limit to 3,500 kilograms from 3,000 kilograms for light petrol and diesel vehicles affected by the rules. Maruti Suzuki India launched India's first flex-fuel passenger vehicle in June by introducing the Wagon R Flex Fuel for blends from E20 to E100. Other major automakers like Toyota Motor Corporation, Tata Motors, and Hyundai Motor Company are also building flex-fuel vehicles for the Indian market.

Context

The government promotes ethanol-blended fuel to cut spending on imported crude oil and reduce the country's fossil fuel import bill. This push gains extra importance amid the West Asia conflict, which leaves many nations vulnerable to energy crises.