India, Oct. 26 -- The Centre has cleared the regulatory pathway for E100 fuel in India, allowing flex-fuel vehicles specifically designed and certified by manufacturers to run on ethanol blends of up to E100, or nearly pure ethanol. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, with the changes coming into force following publication in the Official Gazette.

The most important clarification for vehicle owners is that this does not mean E100 can be used in every petrol car. A senior road transport ministry official said fuels above E20 and up to E100 are intended only for vehicles designed and certified to use them. Vehicles designed for conventional petrol or E20 cannot use E85 or...