New Delhi: Forget E20, get ready for E100 as the government on Monday notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules that clears the way for manufacturing of vehicles that can run on fuel which contains up to 100 per cent of pure ethanol. The move is aimed at promoting `flex-fuel’ vehicles, reducing dependence on imported crude oil and cutting emissions. The revised rules will allow automobile manufacturers to develop and introduce vehicles designed to run on higher ethanol blends.
Flex-fuel vehicles are specifically designed with fuel-system components and materials that are compatible with ethanol blends from E20 to E100. Fuel beyond E20 (20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol) and up to E100 is intended only for vehicles designed and certified to use it and will not be applicable for other vehicles. Vehicles that use E20 or normal fuel cannot use E85 or E100 fuel.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) through a gazette notification has changed certain vehicle classification thresholds, fuel specifications, and technical references used in emission-related tables and testing provisions. Accordingly, the government has raised the vehicle weight limit to 3,500 kg from the previous threshold of 3,000 kg for light petrol and diesel vehicles affected by these changes.
“Vehicles designed as flex fuel vehicles will not have material compatibility issues. Motorists should check the fuel compatibility sticker on their vehicle and follow the manufacturer’s guidance in the owner’s manual while opting for the fuel choice at the fuel station. Advanced engine management systems automatically adjust vehicle operation according to the fuel composition, ensuring optimum performance under different driving conditions,” MoRTH officials said.
Explaining the logic behind the move, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said the flex-fuel technology is a proven and mature technology that has been deployed in countries such as Brazil and the United States.
They added that the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles in India is expected to generate employment opportunities through the development, manufacturing, and supply of flex-fuel vehicle components, ethanol production infrastructure, and related services. They asserted that ethanol has a lower fossil carbon footprint than conventional gasoline.
“The use of higher ethanol blends can help reduce tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and certain hydrocarbons (HC), while contributing to lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions, depending on the feedstock and production pathway. Greater use of domestically produced ethanol can reduce dependence on imported crude oil. The adoption of flex-fuel technology can contribute to India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting indigenous fuel production, enhancing energy security, and supporting the country’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. With this vision, the Government of India is encouraging the deployment of flex-fuel vehicles across the country through this regulation,” MoRTH officials added.
Maruti Suzuki India in June launched the country’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle by introducing Wagon R Flex Fuel capable of running on ethanol-petrol blends from E20 to E100. However, with less than 50 E-85 retail dispensing outlets nationwide, the sale of this car is yet to pick up. Other car makers like Toyota Motor Corporation, Tata Motors, and Hyundai Motor Company, are also developing vehicles that are compatible with E80 to E100 fuel.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
