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The Haryana government has amended the state’s 2017 building code to make electric vehicle charging infrastructure compulsory in new and renovated residential and commercial projects. Group housing societies, cooperative housing projects and residential complexes managed by resident welfare associations (RWAs) must provide at least one charging point for every five parking slots. These projects must also be fully EV-ready with charging conduits in place.Existing housing complexes also covered under the amended codeElectrical, fire safety norms must be followed to get Fire Department’s NOCFor commercial and non-residential buildings such as malls, hotels and office spaces, the rule applies to projects with parking for at least 10 cars. These buildings must now provide at least one EV charging point for every three parking slots. They must also be 100 percent EV-ready, with conduits installed across the property for future charging points. This comes over a month after changes to the code were proposed by the state government.EV chargers allowed in basement, stilt parking areasThe Haryana Town and Country Planning Department issued the amendment on June 5, 2026. It also stated that EV charging infrastructure will not be counted in floor area ratio calculations, which should make it easier for developers to add chargers without affecting project economics.The amended code also allows EV chargers in basement and stilt parking areas, as long as electrical and fire safety norms are followed. Developers will also have to disclose EV charging provisions when applying for occupation certificates.The scope of the amended code extends to existing residential buildings as well. Flat owners can install EV charging equipment in their allotted parking spaces, provided they meet electrical and fire safety requirements and get certification from the Fire Department and the local power distribution company.Haryana’s Fire and Emergency Services Department has also been told to draft detailed fire safety rules for EV charging infrastructure, working with the electricity department and power utilities.

Over the past few years, the government has been increasingly eyeing ethanol blending as a relief from steep fuel import bills, exacerbated by the West Asia conflict in recent memory. There’s already 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol (E20) as the baseline since April 2025, and in June 2026, the government introduced E85 for flex-fuel vehicles; E100 is expected to be offered in the near future too. Below, we’ve answered every question you may have surrounding E85 and E100.What are E85 and E100 fuels?Ethanol comprises the overwhelming majority of the blendAs the name suggests, E85 and E100 are fuel blends with very high percentages of anhydrous (zero water) ethanol. E85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol, while E100 is 93-95 percent ethanol mixed with 5-7 percent of petrol and other solvents – the latter helps during cold-starts (especially at low temperatures), prevents freezing, and should there be a fire, the petrol gives the flame a visible colour.While their nomenclature is similar, E20 and E85/E100 fuels are as different as chalk and cheese.It should also be made clear that E20-compliant vehicles cannot run on E85/E100 without significant hardware changes and additions. The vast variance in ethanol content between E20 and E85/E100 effectively makes them different fuel types.What changes does a vehicle need to support E85 and E100 fuels?Fuel system needs higher-flow and corrosion-resistant componentsFirst up is the fuel system. Since ethanol’s energy per volume is lower than petrol’s, flex-fuel engines need around 30-40 percent more fuel to develop the same amount of power. This often requires a high-flow fuel pump and larger injectors. Fuel lines, seals, regulators and tanks must also be ethanol-resistant – ethanol is hygroscopic in nature, which means it can absorb moisture from the air and corrode whatever it is in contact with.Ethanol content sensor helps ECU adjust for varying ethanol blendsAn ethanol content sensor is also required for flex-fuel powertrains. As its name suggests, the sensor measures ethanol content in the fuel and feeds real-time data to the ECU to adjust fuelling for optimal engine operation. Speaking of which, the fuel maps in the ECU will also need richer injection (higher fuel-to-air ratio) to compensate for ethanol’s lower energy density, and ignition timing may be advanced thanks to ethanol’s high octane rating. Cold-start fuelling must also be adjusted (often drastically richer) as ethanol blends vaporise poorly when cold.What are the pros and cons of E85 and E100 fuels?Reduced dependence on oil imports, better performance and lower emissionsStarting off with the pros, higher ethanol blends help lower the country’s spending on imported oil, though this is dependent on adoption, which is enabled by good incentives and policies. Moreover, ethanol has a high octane rating of around 100-110 RON, allowing for more aggressive tuning. Engines running E85 or E100 can advance ignition timing and/or boost to make more power, and the added cooling effect of ethanol vapour helps prevent knocking.Since ethanol burns cleaner than petrol, E85/E100 fuels also significantly cut tailpipe emissions like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and unburned hydrocarbons. However, they give rise to a different type of hazardous air pollutant: acetaldehyde (C2H4O).Considerable drop in fuel efficiencyThis is where we come to the cons, the biggest of which is fuel efficiency. Since ethanol has a lower energy density, fuel consumption of vehicles running E85 is significantly higher – 20-30 percent more than that of petrol. E100 is worse in this regard, with a fuel efficiency loss of around 35 percent over petrol. This means you’ll be filling up more often if you drive a flex-fuel vehicle.Do E85 and E100 fuels cost less than petrol?E85 priced at roughly Rs 20/litre below petrolYes, E85 is a fair bit cheaper than petrol at Rs 82.12/litre in Delhi – a difference of around Rs 20/litre. Since E100 features higher ethanol content than E85, expect it to be priced even lower. That said, engineering for E85/E100 compliance carries costs that are passed on to the consumer. For instance, the Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel commands a Rs 5,153 premium over its petrol counterpart. On the four-wheeler side, industry experts tell us that engineering a petrol car to run on E85/E100 can raise its cost by about Rs 50,000-1 lakh.What is the availability of E85 and E100 fuels like?Current target is 5,000 dispensing stations in major cities by end-2027In June 2026, the very first E85 dispensing station was inaugurated on Pusa Road, New Delhi. According to petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, initial plans include 50-100 E85/E100 dispensing stations in the Delhi-NCR and Mumbai-Pune-Nagpur corridor, expanding to 500 stations by December 2026. Puri estimates that as many as 5,000 dispensing stations will be set up across major Indian cities by the end of 2027.

The upcoming fourth-generation Hyundai i20 has been teased for the Brazilian market. The teaser gives a glimpse of the exterior lighting elements of the new-gen hatchback, ahead of its possible global debut during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The teaser shows Y-shaped DRLs and C-shaped taillight elementHorizontally-stacked LED headlight pods could be seen as well Fourth-gen Hyundai i20 teaser: What was seen?The teaser confirms a connected LED lighting setup at both front and rear endsWith the new generation, Hyundai will introduce connected LED DRLs and connected LED taillights. The teaser shows horizontally stacked dual-pod projector-LED headlights with an LED light bar on top, featuring Y-shaped ends. Certain chrome-finished curved lines can be seen inside the headlamp. Unlike the current i20, the new-generation model’s grille looks disconnected from the headlights, similar to the Verna. However, a Hyundai logo with a brushed aluminium finish is placed on the bonnet.The rear lighting elements have been revised, too. The taillights have a new C-shaped LED signature and are connected via a light bar in the centre. Keen-eyed viewers can also spot a black trim on the tailgate beneath the rear windscreen with a brushed aluminium logo, similar to the current i20. The next-gen model is expected to be larger than the current i20.Fourth-gen Hyundai i20: Other expected changesSpy shots have hinted at a Venue-like curved screen setup and a new steering wheelImage source: stephanbarral on InstagramWhile the fourth-generation i20’s interior design has yet to be revealed, certain spy shots have hinted at a curved dual-screen setup similar to the Venue. A new steering wheel could also be on the cards, likely with Hyundai’s Morse Code logo for the letter ‘H’. Hyundai could equip the i20 with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite and a 360-degree camera to modernise the overall amenity package. Expected to continue with the same powertrain options as the current i20Hyundai is expected to continue offering the 84hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is also offered with a detuned 100hp version in some markets.Hyundai is also developing a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, expected to deliver more power and torque than the current 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, while being more efficient than the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit offered with the Creta and Alcazar. It remains to be seen if Hyundai offers this turbo-petrol powertrain with the new-gen i20.While the fourth-generation i20’s India launch is yet to be confirmed, the current model’s prices range from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10.39 lakh for the standard version and from Rs 9.27 lakh to Rs 11.59 lakh for the N-Line iteration.Prices are ex-showroom, India. 

Audi has revealed the third-gen Q7 luxury SUV over a decade after its predecessor first went on sale globally. The new Q7 adopts the latest Audi design language, featuring more muscular proportions, split LED headlamps, connected OLED tail-lamps, up to 23-inch alloy wheels, and more. As it stands, Audi has revealed details on only one engine option for the 2026 Q7: a 3.0-litre diesel V6 that makes up to 299hp and 630Nm and is paired with a mild hybrid setup. An 8-speed automatic gearbox funnels that grunt to all four wheels via Audi’s famed Quattro AWD system.

The third-gen Audi Q7 has broken cover, and one of the headline changes to its interior is the removal of a 7-seat layout as standard – it’s now a 5-seater with optional 6-seat and 7-seat configurations, with the former offering second-row captain chairs. Up front, the dashboard gets a new triple-screen setup, four-spoke steering wheel, and lashings of leather and wood. Notable features include a 22-speaker Bang and Olufsen 4D sound system, ambient lighting, dual wireless charging pads, a panoramic sunroof, 4-zone climate control, an ADAS suite, connected car tech, and more. Boot space is rated at 670 litres for the 5-seat and 581 litres for the 7-seat Q7, expandable up to 2,075 litres and 1,980 litres, respectively.