India clears legal rules for 100% ethanol vehicle fuel

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the government has signed off on regulations authorising the use of 100 % ethanol (E100) as a legal vehicular fuel. The move is intended to cut India’s fossil‑fuel import bill, which Gadkari said totals about ₹22 trillion, by promoting domestically produced ethanol from sugarcane and other crops.

The approval creates a formal pathway for flex‑fuel and dedicated high‑ethanol vehicles. Recent launches include Maruti Suzuki’s WagonR and Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor+ and HF Deluxe models that run on ethanol. Gadkari said manufacturers such as Toyota, Suzuki, Hyundai, MG and other makers will introduce ethanol‑compatible vehicles within the next six weeks.

The policy follows the earlier introduction of E85 fuel and the achievement of ethanol‑blending targets ahead of schedule, with blending rising from 1.5 % in 2014 to 10 % by late 2022 and the 20 % goal reached by 2024. Officials expect the new E100 framework to boost demand for ethanol, support agricultural producers, and require the development of dedicated dispensing infrastructure.

Gadkari also highlighted plans for green‑hydrogen buses in Nagpur, signalling a broader shift toward alternative transport fuels.