9NOVEMBER 2026The government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to formally recognize E100 fuel for flex-fuel vehicle production. This regulatory green light removes the final compliance barrier that stood between automakers and the commercial launch of E100-compatible models in India. Manufacturers can now certify, produce and sell vehicles built to run on up to 100% ethanol.The notification, issued on 23 October 2026, arrives months before several companies plan to introduce their E100 transition, giving the industry a clear path from development into production and market entry. The amendment adds E100 alongside E85 in emission-related provisions and updates fuel specifications and testing requirements. These fuels apply only to vehicles that original equipment manufacturers specially design and certify for high-ethanol blends. Solar module manufacturing in India faces a strategic challenge as China considers restricting exports of technologies used to produce photovoltaic equipment. Chetan Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Solex Energy, has urged the government to incentivize domestic production and extend the timeline for implementing ALMM-II to help manufacturers expand capacity.He warned that delays in establishing domestic solar cell manufacturing could lead to supply shortages, project delays, and pressure on tariffs. His concerns come as India expands its renewable energy manufacturing base but remains dependent on external suppliers for critical parts of the production process. The issue raises questions about technology access, industrial competitiveness, and the pace of India's solar supply-chain development. Coking coal is a critical raw material for India's steel manufacturing industry, making domestic production and processing capacity important to the country's industrial supply chain. Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) returned to profitability in the second quarter of FY27, reporting a net profit of Rs 123.74 crore against a loss of Rs 52.99 crore in the corresponding period last year.Revenue from operations rose 39.1 percent to Rs 4,412.58 crore, while raw coal production increased 7.6 percent to 7.22 million tons. The results raise a broader question: can stronger domestic coal production and improved washing infrastructure help address steelmakers' raw-material constraints?The financial recovery at BCCL comes against the backdrop of India's continued dependence on imported coking coal. The country imported 66.33 million tons in FY26, while domestic washed coking coal production stood at 5.93 million tons, according to government data. REGULATORY GREEN LIGHT FOR E100 BOOSTS FLEX-FUEL VEHICLE PRODUCTIONSOLAR MODULE CAPACITY GAP: CHETAN SHAH FLAGS CHINA CURBSBCCL POSTS RS 124 CR PROFIT AS COKING COAL OUTPUT RISESAndhra Pradesh has received approval for a Rs 27,370 crore investment to expand its power transmission network. The project will strengthen the state's green energy infrastructure and improve its ability to transmit renewable electricity. The first phase is expected to be commissioned in 2029-30. The approval comes under the central government's Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme.The Union Cabinet approved the Rs 1.86 trillion national scheme on September 30 to support the evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy through state transmission networks by 2032-33. Of the total outlay, around Rs 1.36 trillion is allocated to intra-state transmission infrastructure, while Rs 50,000 crore is earmarked for 50 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS). The Centre will provide Rs 54,082 crore in financial assistance to offset intra-state transmission charges. ANDHRA PRADESH GETS RS 27,370 CRORE GREEN ENERGY BOOSTcomes as manufacturers face labor shortages and growing pressure to improve productivity. The company plans to demonstrate the system at the 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2026), which begins October 26 at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan.
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