TL;DR
India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has drafted rules to incorporate E85 and E100 ethanol-blended fuels, aiming to reduce crude oil dependence and promote flex-fuel vehicles.
The Indian government has taken a significant step towards expanding its biofuel program by proposing the formal inclusion of higher ethanol-blended fuels, E85 and E100, into the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. A draft notification, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on April 27, 2026, suggests amendments that would allow E85 (85% ethanol, 15% petrol) and E100 (near-pure ethanol) to be officially recognized. This initiative follows India's achievement of 20% ethanol blending (E20) in petrol in 2025.
This move is aimed at reducing the nation's substantial reliance on crude oil imports, a critical concern amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The formalization of these higher blends would pave the way for flex-fuel vehicles capable of switching between petrol and biofuels, potentially cutting crude dependency by 15-20%. Automakers like Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki are already developing E85-compatible prototypes and variants. The draft is open for public comments until May 15, with final rules anticipated in Q3 2026 and E85 pumps targeted for 2027.
