MoRTH amends Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to cover E100 alongside E85 for flex-fuel vehicles
On 26 October 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 that explicitly include E100 alongside E85 in emission certification for flex-fuel vehicles, without imposing anything on existing vehicle owners.
Summary
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to provide a clear framework for flex-fuel vehicles that can run on high ethanol blends. The amendments explicitly include E100 alongside E85 in the emission certification framework; E85 means fuel containing up to 85% ethanol by volume. The ministry clarified that the rules apply only to vehicles designed and certified for such fuels and impose no requirement on existing vehicle owners, since compatibility with E10 or E20 does not make a vehicle suitable for E85. The changes, which also update biodiesel provisions, take effect from their publication in the Official Gazette.
Key facts
- Ministry
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- Rules amended
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
- Key change
- E100 included alongside E85 in emission certification
- E85
- Fuel with up to 85% ethanol by volume
- Applies to
- Only vehicles designed and certified for these fuels
- Existing vehicles
- No requirement on existing vehicle owners
- Also covers
- Updated biodiesel provisions
- Effective
- From publication in the Official Gazette
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In October 2026, MoRTH amended which rules to explicitly include E100 alongside E85 for flex-fuel vehicles?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
As explained by MoRTH in October 2026, 'E85' fuel contains up to what share of ethanol by volume?
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Correct answer: B — 85%
Consider the following statements about the October 2026 amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989: 1. All existing vehicle owners must convert their vehicles to run on E85 fuel. 2. A vehicle compatible with E10 or E20 is not automatically suitable for E85. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only