. NEW DELHI: The government is likely to issue a fresh notification for laying down the test requirements for vehicles that can run on almost 100 per cent ethanol (E100) and petrol, a move that would encourage automobile manufacturers to produce Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).While the road transport ministry, in December 2022, had notified the “applicability of test requirements” for vehicles that can run on E5 to E85 per cent fuel, a draft notification to replace the condition of E85 to “E85 or more” was issued on June 27, 2025. But the final notification could not be issued within the stipulated six months, and the process lapsed. It was during this period that a controversy had broken out over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on the mileage of vehicles and the increased requirement of maintenance.TOI has learnt that with the focus now back on promoting alternative fuels in the light of the ongoing West Asia crisis, the government is set to publish the new draft notification to seek feedback from stakeholders before going ahead with the plan.Though most of the vehicle manufacturers have come up with prototypes of FFVs, commercial production is yet to begin. Engines that are designed to run on E100 can operate on lower ethanol blends from E20 onwards.Meanwhile, the petroleum and natural gas ministry has held two rounds of meetings with vehicle manufacturers on FFVs.TOI on March 30 had reported that the OEMs, in the first round, had flagged the need to address consumer concerns, particularly to lower fuel costs, considering that ethanol-fueled vehicles give less mileage.The industry sought a clear roadmap about the fuel stations that would dispense ethanol, compensation for mileage loss, which is around 27-30 per cent less than petrol, and an incentive for people to buy FFVs, considering these are expensive. Last year petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had written to FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking GST parity of FFVs with EVs. Currently, the GST for FFVs is 28 per cent compared to only 5 per cent for EVs.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123Photostories6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts10 Vedic baby girl names that begin with letter V123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake
NEW DELHI: The government is likely to issue a fresh notification for laying down the test requirements for vehicles that can run on almost 100 per cent ethanol (E100) and petrol, a move that would encourage automobile manufacturers to produce Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).While the road transport ministry, in December 2022, had notified the “applicability of test requirements” for vehicles that can run on E5 to E85 per cent fuel, a draft notification to replace the condition of E85 to “E85 or more” was issued on June 27, 2025. But the final notification could not be issued within the stipulated six months, and the process lapsed. It was during this period that a controversy had broken out over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on the mileage of vehicles and the increased requirement of maintenance.TOI has learnt that with the focus now back on promoting alternative fuels in the light of the ongoing West Asia crisis, the government is set to publish the new draft notification to seek feedback from stakeholders before going ahead with the plan.Though most of the vehicle manufacturers have come up with prototypes of FFVs, commercial production is yet to begin. Engines that are designed to run on E100 can operate on lower ethanol blends from E20 onwards.Meanwhile, the petroleum and natural gas ministry has held two rounds of meetings with vehicle manufacturers on FFVs.TOI on March 30 had reported that the OEMs, in the first round, had flagged the need to address consumer concerns, particularly to lower fuel costs, considering that ethanol-fueled vehicles give less mileage.The industry sought a clear roadmap about the fuel stations that would dispense ethanol, compensation for mileage loss, which is around 27-30 per cent less than petrol, and an incentive for people to buy FFVs, considering these are expensive. Last year petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had written to FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking GST parity of FFVs with EVs. Currently, the GST for FFVs is 28 per cent compared to only 5 per cent for EVs.
