New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed amendments to emission norms under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to promote higher ethanol blends and alternative fuels, paving the way for wider adoption of flex-fuel and biofuel vehicles across India.

Proposal expands fuel options

The draft notification includes provisions for fuels such as E85 (85% ethanol), E100 (near-pure ethanol), B100 biodiesel and Hydrogen-CNG blends. Until now, regulations largely focused on lower ethanol blends like E10 and E20.

With the proposed changes, all vehicle categories including two wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and heavy vehicles can be designed to run on these alternative fuels.

The move is aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels while promoting cleaner energy sources.

What are flex-fuel vehicles?

Flex-fuel vehicles are capable of running on varying blends of ethanol and petrol, ranging from E20 to E100. These vehicles are equipped with sensors that automatically adjust engine parameters based on the fuel mix.

Countries like Brazil have already implemented large-scale flex-fuel programmes, achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to conventional petrol vehicles.

Industry signals readiness

Automobile manufacturers have indicated preparedness to adopt the new norms. Vikram Gulati, country head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, recently stated that companies are ready to introduce flex-fuel vehicles that emit lower levels of carbon.

The proposal is expected to give consumers more flexibility in choosing fuel types while encouraging innovation in vehicle design.

Additional regulatory changes

The draft amendments also include technical updates to align Indian standards with global norms. These include:

  • Increasing the vehicle weight limit for certain categories from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg
  • Updating fuel terminology, including replacing “Hydrogen+CN” with “Hydrogen+CNG”
  • Correcting emission measurement units from “Mg/kWh” to “mg/kWh”
  • Revising World-Harmonised Not-to-Exceed (WNTE) emission limits

These changes aim to improve regulatory clarity and ensure consistency with international practices.

Public consultation underway

The government has opened the proposal for a 30-day public consultation period, after which a final decision will be taken.

Push for cleaner mobility

The proposed amendments align with India’s broader strategy to transition towards cleaner mobility solutions, reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy alternatives in the transport sector.

Conclusion

If implemented, the new rules could significantly accelerate the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles in India, offering consumers more fuel choices while supporting environmental goals. The move is seen as a key step in balancing energy security with sustainability.