Govt approves E100 fuel use despite nationwide criticism of ethanol:Cars running on E20 petrol or regular fuel cannot use E85 or E100 fuel, clarifies Centre

The central government has issued rules for flex-fuel vehicles (E100) that run on 100% ethanol-blended petrol in the country. It has approved E100 fuel by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The decision comes just before some car companies are set to launch their E100 cars in the market. According to an official statement, the latest changes to the Motor Vehicles Rules have included E100 fuel alongside E85 fuel in the emission provisions. Officials clarified that E85 and E100 fuels can only be used in special vehicles specifically designed and certified for them. They cannot be used in regular vehicles. No impact on existing car owners The government statement makes it clear that vehicles running on E20 petrol or regular fuel cannot run on E85 or E100 fuel. This new notification means existing vehicle owners will not need to shift their cars to E85 or E100 fuel or carry out any kind of modification. This is entirely an alternative arrangement for both the present and the future. The technology works with a single tank Pollution and oil imports will decline Compared with traditional petrol, ethanol has a much lower fossil carbon footprint. Using higher ethanol blends will help reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and some hydrocarbon emissions from vehicle exhausts. In addition, greater use of ethanol will significantly reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil imports. What is E100 fuel? E100 means 100% pure ethanol fuel. Ethanol is a biofuel produced mainly from plants and biological sources such as sugarcane and maize. Who should use it? E85 and E100 are meant only for new vehicles that are specifically designed and certified for them by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). They cannot be used in older or standard E20 vehicles.