NEW DELHI, October 30, 2026 – Following the Centre’s recent move to permit vehicles capable of running on pure ethanol, the Supreme Court has raised critical questions regarding the government’s preparedness to ensure an adequate supply chain for such vehicles.
Hearing petitions related to ethanol allocation for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26 on Thursday, a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale referred to recent media reports highlighting the approval of E100 (nearly pure ethanol) compatible flex-fuel vehicles.
“Academically, we want to know if the permission is given to have 100 percent ethanol-run vehicles, how will you make the supply?” the bench asked the Centre. Responding to the query, Attorney General R. Venkataramani acknowledged the magnitude of the shift, stating, “That will require large-scale manufacturing rearrangements.”
The court’s inquiry comes on the heels of the Road Transport Ministry notifying changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 on October 26, officially allowing flex-fuel vehicles to run on up to E100. Paradoxically, just a day later on October 27, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the government has “no immediate proposal” to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the existing 20 percent (E20) mandate.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court also strongly emphasized the need to look at the ethanol policy through the lens of rural empowerment and environmental sustainability. “We have to address the third issue, which is how to empower the farmers. This is one aspect which nobody is highlighting,” Justice Sundresh observed. “We need to empower the common man which is still in the villages.”
The Attorney General assured the bench that he would address the concerns relating to farmers’ interests and the supply chain during his detailed arguments. The apex court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for next month, where it will further examine the logistical and policy framework required to support the government’s E100 ambitions without disrupting agricultural stability.
Published by True Roots Media Network