SRINAGAR: The Government of India has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, aimed at updating technical fuel classifications and emission standards in line with higher ethanol and biofuel blending targets.
According to the draft notification, the proposed changes seek to align vehicle regulations and type-approval standards with evolving clean fuel policies, including the rollout of E20 fuel and expanded use of biodiesel and hydrogen-based fuels.
Among the key proposals, the hydrogen fuel classification has been revised from Hydrogen + CN to Hydrogen + CNG, while the gross vehicle weight threshold in select categories has been proposed to be raised from 3,000 kilograms to 3,500 kilograms.
The draft also proposes upgrading biodiesel references from B10 to B100, reflecting a broader push towards alternative fuels. In addition, emission testing parameters and technical notations have been proposed to be standardised under the revised framework.
The proposed amendments are aimed at modernising regulatory provisions to support cleaner mobility and emerging fuel technologies. The notification has been issued in draft form, inviting objections and suggestions before finalisation.
