India Notifies E30 Petrol Norms

India has notified new petrol standards for ethanol blends up to E30, with the Bureau of Indian Standards issuing a Gazette notification on 18 May 2026. The notified specifications cover E22, E25, E27 and E30, which denote petrol blended with 22%, 25%, 27% and 30% ethanol respectively.

Ethanol Blending in Petrol

Ethanol blending in petrol is the mixing of anhydrous ethanol with petrol for use in positive ignition engine-powered vehicles. E20 refers to petrol with 20% ethanol, while E30 refers to petrol with 30% ethanol. India has used ethanol blending as part of its fuel policy framework, and the new standards extend the technical basis beyond E20. The notified norms are effective from 15 May 2026 and provide specifications for future fuel introduction.

Technical Scope of the New Norms

The BIS notification sets standards for anhydrous ethanol and petrol blends intended for automotive use. The norms do not require immediate nationwide sale of E30 petrol and function as a technical framework for higher ethanol-compatible vehicles and flex-fuel vehicles. The government is also examining the feasibility of E85 and reviewing the readiness of automobile manufacturing and fuel retail infrastructure for higher ethanol blends. E85 is a petrol-ethanol blend containing 85% ethanol.

Institutional and Industry Context

The Automotive Research Association of India has been asked by the petroleum ministry to study the impact of E25 fuel on vehicles compliant with E10 and E20 standards. The study covers mileage and engine life in existing vehicles. The All India Distillers’ Association has welcomed the BIS norms and has referred to E85 and E100 in the context of India’s ethanol blending roadmap. E100 is fuel containing 100% ethanol.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Bureau of Indian Standards is the national standards body of India under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
• Positive ignition engines are commonly used in petrol vehicles and operate through spark ignition.
• Anhydrous ethanol is ethanol with very low water content and is used in fuel blending.
• Flex-fuel vehicles can operate on multiple fuel blends, including higher ethanol mixtures.

India’s notified petrol standards now include E22, E25, E27 and E30. The study on E25 fuel has been assigned to the Automotive Research Association of India.