India will introduce E85 fuel on World Environment Day as part of a push for flex-fuel mobility, the government said. The move is designed to deepen the shift towards ethanol blending in road transport and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Implementation will involve oil marketing companies, vehicle manufacturers and fuel retailers in a coordinated rollout.

E85 comprises 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline, enabling higher domestic ethanol use in internal combustion engines. The blend can lower tailpipe emissions compared with standard petrol and support energy security objectives. Its introduction follows years of policy focus on biofuels and additive blends.

Flex-fuel vehicles that can run on high ethanol blends will be central to the strategy, and manufacturers will be encouraged to certify and market such models. Fuel pumps will need equipment upgrades and quality checks to handle the corrosive properties of high ethanol content. Regulators will set standards to ensure vehicle compatibility and supply chain integrity.

The change will boost demand for ethanol from sugarcane and other feedstocks, creating new market opportunities for farmers and processors. Investments in logistics and storage will be necessary to move increased volumes to retail outlets. The policy frames environmental goals alongside rural income support and domestic industry development.

An initial rollout will focus on pilot stations equipped to dispense the blend and on certification protocols for service stations. Coordination across central ministries, state agencies and oil marketing companies will govern supply, distribution and quality assurance during the rollout. Officials will monitor vehicle performance, consumer uptake and pricing dynamics to guide any scale up while ensuring warranties and safety standards are maintained.