Distillers, sugar millers, and traders have lauded the government’s decision to permit vehicles to operate on either pure ethanol or any ethanol-petrol mixture, potentially leading to the introduction of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in India.
Ravi Gupta, Chairman of the Sugar Bioenergy Group at the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE), emphasized that shifting to 100% ethanol would enable auto manufacturers to produce FFVs. He added that the government must ensure these vehicles are attractive for consumers.
Gupta also suggested that infrastructure be developed at petrol stations, particularly in states with sugar surpluses like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, as well as grain-surplus regions such as Bihar and Chhattisgarh, for the initial rollout of E100.
Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), characterized the draft Gazette notification concerning the Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) as a timely and progressive stride in enhancing India’s clean mobility framework.
Ballani stated, “The transition from E85 to E100 includes regulatory provisions for certifying vehicles capable of running on pure ethanol, illustrating a clear shift towards mainstreaming indigenous biofuels.” He further noted the alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, which bolsters energy security by leveraging India’s existing ethanol ecosystem.
C K Jain, President of the Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA), echoed Ballani’s sentiments, highlighting that the notification signifies a crucial step for India’s biofuel infrastructure. The formal acknowledgment of E85 and E100 in emission regulations represents a robust policy signal indicating that the nation is poised to transition from E20 to higher ethanol blends in a structured manner.
Jain remarked that for the grain-based ethanol sector, this development presents substantial opportunities for increased production, investment, and enhanced contributions to India’s energy security and decarbonization efforts. It also reinforces confidence among various stakeholders, from farmers to fuel producers and automobile manufacturers.
He expressed hope that higher ethanol blends such as E85 and E100 would significantly increase the demand for surplus grains, thereby bolstering farm incomes and building a more resilient agricultural value chain.
The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) hailed the amendment proposal to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) of 1989 as a decisive move. The draft notification officially incorporates E100 (Pure Ethanol), E85, and Hydrogen-CNG into India’s regulatory framework, indicating a major policy shift from treating ethanol merely as an additive to recognizing it as a primary fuel.
AIDA noted that the notification provides a legal framework for E100, establishing a compliance category that alleviates the regulatory uncertainties that had hindered automobile manufacturers from launching ethanol-only vehicles.
Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, stated, “For years, ethanol was seen only as a blending agent. By legally recognizing E100 as a primary fuel, the government has offered the distillery industry the long-term clarity needed to scale production. We are prepared to power India’s transport sector independently of foreign oil.”
Praful Vithalani, Chairman of the All India Sugar Trade Association, referred to the achievement of the E20 target five years early, reaching it in 2025, as a significant boost to India’s ethanol economy. He expressed readiness within the sugar and ethanol industry for the forthcoming E85 and E100 roadmap. He emphasized the necessity for public sector oil companies to establish supply stations, alongside calling for a 15-year policy framework with subsidy guidelines for flex fuel vehicles.
Published on April 30, 2026.
