Centre Introduces New Ethanol-Blended Petrol Norms: E22 to E30 Fuel Standards Approved in India
Centre Introduces New Ethanol-Blended Petrol Norms: E22 to E30 Fuel Standards Approved in India
May 19, 2026: In a major step towards cleaner and alternative fuel adoption, the Central Government has approved new fuel standards for higher ethanol-blended petrol variants ranging from E22 to E30, marking the next phase of India’s ethanol blending programme.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has officially notified fuel specifications for E22, E25, E27 and E30 petrol variants following the growing push for ethanol-based mobility in the country.
The notification was issued by the Central Government on May 15, 2026, formally recognising the use of petrol blended with higher percentages of ethanol beyond the existing E20 fuel standard currently being introduced across India.
The move is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on crude oil imports, lowering vehicular emissions and supporting the domestic sugar and biofuel industries.
Industry bodies, including the All India Distillers Association (AIDA), welcomed the decision and described it as a major milestone for India’s clean fuel and ethanol blending roadmap.
AIDA President Vijendra Singh said the introduction of BIS standards for E22 to E30 fuels was not merely a technical update but a forward-looking policy decision that would strengthen India’s long-term energy strategy.
Industry experts particularly welcomed the approval of E25 fuel standards, stating that it could help effectively utilise surplus sugar and increased ethanol production capacity available in the country.
The association also urged policymakers to gradually move towards even higher ethanol blends such as E85 and E100 in the future through the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are designed to operate on multiple ethanol-petrol blends.
According to industry representatives, flex-fuel vehicles could play a key role in improving energy security, reducing carbon emissions and creating a sustainable market for domestically produced biofuels.
The new BIS standards are also expected to provide regulatory clarity to automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies and biofuel producers, potentially accelerating the production of vehicles compatible with higher ethanol fuel blends.
India has already made significant progress in implementing E20 fuel usage nationwide. With the approval of E22 to E30 standards, the country is now moving towards the next stage of ethanol-based transportation and cleaner energy adoption.
