Govt issues draft notification to allow for higher ethanol blends in petrol

The Government has officially issued a draft notification proposing amendments to ‌the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to formally incorporate higher blends on ethanol in petrol. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the draft includes provision for E85 fuel (a blend of 85 percent ethanol in petrol), and even E100, whereby vehicles can run fully on ethanol. 

The draft ‌rules ⁠have been opened for public comments, after which the government will take ​a final ​decision. This comes after nationwide rollout of E20 fuel (20 percent ethanol in petrol) in April last year. The intent with higher blending of ethanol is to reduce the country’s dependence on import of crude oil, which has particularly come in the fore amidst the ongoing Iran-US conflict.

1. Govt is pushing for higher ethanol blends to reduce dependence on crude oil import 
2. Draft notification also proposes new classification of fuel 

What else does the new draft notification propose?

The draft notification proposes new classification for fuel based on the higher blends of ethanol. For example, the description of petrol will change from E10/E to E10/E20, while also explicitly including E85 and E100 within the regulatory framework. Similarly, biodiesel references will be updated from B10 to B100 (100 percent biodiesel). It also standardises emission-testing parameters and technical terminology. 

The draft also proposes increasing the gross vehicle weight threshold from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg in select vehicle categories. In addition, the draft notification revises the hydrogen fuel classification from “Hydrogen + CN” to “Hydrogen + CNG”.

What does it mean for the consumer?

One of the challenges behind ethanol blending comes in the form of technical complexities. Cars manufactured after April 2023 are currently E20 compliant while also being materially compliant with ethanol blends up to 30 percent. However, for even higher blends of ethanol, manufacturers will have to redesign specific components of engines. Ethanol introduces a higher likelihood of moisture, while accelerated corrosion damage is also a factor that OEMs must prepare for. 

Considering the lower energy density of ethanol over petrol, increasing the ethanol blend will also lead to a drop in engine output and mileage as has been verified by our tests. Then there is the higher cost of flex-fuel vehicles to consider, too.

If and when E85 roll out materialises, fuel stations across the country will also require separate storage tanks for regular petrol and ethanol-blended petrol, plus dedicated dispensing mechanisms for each.