In a major shift in India's fuel diversification strategy, the government has formally notified standards for higher ethanol-blended petrol variants, including E22, E25, E27 and E30, as it intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil amid continuing volatility in global energy markets.
According to a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notification issued on May 15, new specifications have been established under IS 19850:2026 for “E22, E25, E27 and E30 Fuel, Admixture of Anhydrous Ethanol and Motor Gasoline for Usage in Positive Ignition Engine Powered Vehicles.” They refer to petrol with ethanol belnds of 22%, 25%, 27% and 30%, respectively.
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The move lays down a regulatory framework for the next phase of India's ethanol blending programme, which has become a key pillar of the Centre's energy diversification strategy.
The standards define fuel specifications for petrol blends containing ethanol concentrations higher than the currently targeted E20 fuel.
The development comes as India accelerates efforts to cut its dependence on imported crude oil, which currently accounts for more than 85% of the country's total requirement.
The government has repeatedly maintained that higher ethanol blending can help lower import bills, support domestic agriculture and reduce vehicular emissions.
India had earlier advanced its E20 blending target from 2030 to the ethanol supply year 2025-26.
Official data released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas earlier this year showed that the country had already crossed the 18% ethanol blending mark nationally, with public sector oil marketing companies scaling up supply and procurement infrastructure.
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The Centre had launched E20 fuel at select retail outlets in 2023, following which automobile manufacturers began rolling out E20-compatible vehicles across segments.
The latest BIS notification, however, does not specify any timeline for the commercial rollout of E22-E30 fuels.
Officials have previously indicated that future adoption of higher blends, including proposals such as E85, would depend on vehicle compatibility, fuel distribution readiness and supply chain preparedness.
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