Economy
India Opens Certification Path for E85 and E100 Flex-Fuel Vehicles
India has updated vehicle certification rules to cover flex-fuel vehicles capable of using E85 and E100 fuels.
What happened
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways amended the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, to explicitly include E85 and E100 in emissions certification. Certified vehicles must meet applicable emissions and safety standards. The provisions will take effect when published in the official gazette; existing vehicle owners do not need to modify their vehicles.
Why it matters
The change supports vehicles that can use higher-ethanol fuels, potentially reducing imported crude-oil dependence and some harmful emissions. E85 and E100 remain unsuitable for ordinary E10 or E20 vehicles.
Source: Press Information Bureau (India)