In order to reduce oil dependency and emissions, India will introduce cheaper E85 fuel as part of a larger push to popularise flex-fuel two-wheelers. The announcement follows Hero MotoCorp’s recent unveiling of the Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe - the nation’s first commercial flex-fuel bikes capable of running on ethanol blends as high as 85%.
Two models are launched at a New Delhi event led by key union ministers, which marks a major step forward in India’s automotive strategy. The government’s ethanol push has been successful: India achieved ethanol blending five years ahead of schedule, saving over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange and generating ₹1.21 lakh crore for sugarcane farmers.
Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted that even a 1% switch from petrol to E85 would save an additional ₹195 crore, reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil imports. To drive adoption, officials said that E85 can be priced lower than petrol and therefore provide a direct financial incentive to switch.
But sceptics say there are several obstacles. Flex-fuel bikes usually get lower mileage on high ethanol blends and India’s sugarcane-heavy production of ethanol has raised concerns about water use. Infrastructure gaps— such as limited E85 pumps and inconsistent fuel availability— are a major obstacle.
Manufacturers are preparing for a flex-fuel future. Hero, Maruti and Tata are among them. For now, adoption is voluntary and the government is betting on market forces and lower fuel prices to spur the change. But whether Indian consumers are willing to accept the trade-off remains to be seen.
