UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) updates rules to facilitate E85/E100 flex fuel vehicles

Q1. With reference to flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) designed for high-ethanol fuels such as E85, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An FFV carries ethanol and petrol in separate tanks and mixes them in a fixed proportion before injection.
  2. A vehicle certified as compatible with E20 can switch to E85 without any change in its fuel-system components.
  3. An FFV's engine management adjusts engine operation according to the ethanol share of the fuel it receives.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A vehicle may cover somewhat fewer kilometres per litre on E20 than on unblended petrol.
  2. Ethanol has a higher research octane number than the petrol sold in India.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The lifecycle greenhouse-gas benefit of ethanol over petrol is not the same for all ethanol supplied for blending.
  2. Combustion of ethanol in an engine releases no carbon dioxide at the tailpipe.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. The Union government wishes to allow vehicles designed for a new high-ethanol fuel to be certified for emissions. It does so by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. In this context, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The change can be made by executive notification under powers delegated by the parent motor vehicle law, without enacting a new Act of Parliament.
  2. Because the change alters vehicle standards, it can take effect only after both Houses of Parliament approve it by a special majority.
  3. Once notified, the amendment obliges owners of vehicles already on the road to retrofit them for the new fuel.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q5. With reference to the regulatory framework for higher ethanol blends in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Notifying certification norms for E85 flex fuel vehicles by itself obliges fuel retailers to dispense E85 at their outlets.
  2. Whether a fuel meets its quality specification and whether a vehicle is certified for emissions on that fuel are judged under separate frameworks.
  3. Blending targets such as E20 are fixed under the motor vehicle rules, which is why the Central Motor Vehicles Rules had to be amended before E20 could be reached.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q6. Suppose international crude oil prices fall sharply and stay low for several years. With reference to India's ethanol blending, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are likely consequence(s)?

  1. The price case for selling high blends such as E85 at the pump becomes weaker.
  2. Procurement prices of domestically produced ethanol fall automatically in step with crude prices.
  3. The foreign exchange saved for each litre of ethanol blended into petrol declines.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q7. Consider the following assertion: Making E85/E100 widely usable in India requires coordinated action by more than one regulatory body. Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above support/supports the assertion?

  1. A vehicle may use a high-ethanol fuel only if it is certified for that fuel under the motor vehicle rules.
  2. Ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel must conform to quality specifications laid down by the national standards body.
  3. Blending and fuel-supply policy is administered under a programme separate from the motor vehicle rules.
  4. Ethanol has a higher octane number than the petrol sold in India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only