E100 vehicles get regulatory nod as MoRTH amends motor vehicle rules
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has updated the motor vehicle rules to allow carmakers to build and sell flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that use 100 percent ethanol (E100) and 100 percent biodiesel (B100). Earlier, motor vehicle rules allowed homologation of up to E85 (85 percent ethanol blend) vehicles. The amended rules now provide the legal framework (homologation norms) for manufacturers to commercialise the E100 flex-fuel prototypes they have been testing extensively. Updated rules clarify that E85 and E100 can only be used in certified FFVs Existing vehicle owners are not required to switch to E85 or modify their vehicles Along with this, MoRTH has also raised the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) testing threshold from 3,000kg to 3,500kg. Updated Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR): What’s new? Amended Rule 115 now allows for E100 homologation alongside E85 The updated Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, now states that the emission-certifica...