Government allows Ethanol 100 in compliant vehicles
Government allows Ethanol 100 in compliant vehicles left E100 fuel allows vehicles to run on nearly pure ethanol. File Getty Images Getty Images ozgurcankaya filling up The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has changed certain vehicle classification thresholds, fuel specifications, and technical references used in emission-related tables and testing provisions New Delhi The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to permit the use of ethanol-based fuels containing up to 100% ethanol (E100) in vehicles, paving the way for flex-fuel vehicles that run on petrol, ethanol blends of varying proportions, or pure ethanol.
The amendments modify Rule 115, which deals with emission standards and related requirements for motor vehicles, and Rule 115E, which contains additional provisions relating to emission testing. Government working to allow ethanol blending beyond E20 via flexi-fuel vehicles: Tarun Kapoor Government working to allow ethanol blending beyond E20 via flexi-fuel vehicles: Tarun Kapoor Tarun Kapoor said ethanol production capacity in the country has surpassed requirements for blending, and the industry will need to explore additional uses for ethanol to utilise this surplus capacity fully Government working to allow ethanol blending beyond E20 via flexi-fuel vehicles: Tarun Kapoor storyline 1 One of the key changes is the inclusion of E100, or fuel comprising 100% ethanol, alongside E85 in several tables under Rule 115.
E85 is a fuel containing up to 85% ethanol, while E100 refers to fuel consisting of 100% ethanol, subject to the applicable fuel specification. The amendments also contain an explanatory statement that states that E85 or E100 shall be used in vehicles designed by original equipment manufacturers as flex-fuel vehicles. In a press statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sought to allay concerns among motorists clarified, “A vehicle’s compatibility with E10 or E20 alone does not establish suitability for E85.
This notification does not require owners of existing vehicles to switch to E85 or modify their vehicles either at present or in the future,” it clarified since E20 has raised concerns. The Ministry also advised that motorists should check the fuel compatibility sticker on their vehicle and follow the manufacturer’s guidance in the owner’s manual while opting for the fuel choice at the fuel station.
Corrections have also been incorporated to fuel classifications, including the reference to gasoline blended with 20% ethanol, or E20, in place of an earlier notation that referred to E10.
