⛽ E100 is here. Can your car use it?

Good morning.

Quick question before the day begins: do you know how much ethanol is in the petrol you buy? The answer is most likely 20%.

On Monday the government cleared a fuel with nearly 100%, and today’s main story explains who can use it.

You've probably heard of E20 petrol. Maybe you've even wondered whether it's good for your car. Now there's another name joining the conversation: E100.

On October 26, the government changed India's vehicle rules to allow specially designed vehicles to run on fuel containing nearly 100% ethanol.

But before you start looking for E100 at your nearest petrol pump, there's something worth knowing.

First, what exactly is ethanol?

It's a type of alcohol made from crops such as sugarcane and maize. India mixes it with petrol to reduce its dependence on imported oil.

Over the years, India has moved from E10, containing 10% ethanol, to E20, containing 20%. The country completed its nationwide E20 rollout in 2025.

Now, there's a regulatory pathway for vehicles that can use much higher ethanol blends.

Can you use E100 in your current car?

Not unless it's specifically designed for it.

E100 is meant for specially designed flex-fuel vehicles that can run on different approved combinations of petrol and ethanol.

Your regular petrol car or bike cannot automatically use E100, even if it's compatible with E20.

Why is India doing this?

India imports much of the oil it uses. Producing more fuel from crops grown here could reduce that dependence and create another market for farmers.

But there are trade-offs. Producing ethanol requires agricultural resources, and higher ethanol blends can affect how far a vehicle travels on a litre of fuel. Read more

Further reading: What E20 petrol means for your car's mileage, engine and warranty

No peeking at your wallet just yet. Answer at the end.

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