Maruti Unveils Its First Flex-Fuel Car as Centre Plans to Start Selling Higher Ethanol Blend Fuel
The WagonR flex-fuel can run on blends from E20 to E100, and the government plans 5,000 flex-fuel pumps by 2027.
- On Thursday, Maruti Suzuki India unveiled the WagonR flex-fuel, India's first mass-market passenger vehicle homologated to run on E85 fuel and ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E100.
- Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that flex-fuel vehicles support India's "Aatmanirbhar" Ethanol blending quest, which reached 20% in 2025-26, as the government intensifies efforts to reduce crude oil import dependence amid the West Asia crisis.
- Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi noted that the market leader must encourage transition; the vehicle runs on pure ethanol and various blends without engine modifications, though success requires a developed ecosystem.
- Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari emphasized flex-fuel vehicles could generate Rs 1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange savings, while the government plans to establish 5,000 retail outlets by the end of 2027.
- Adopting flex-fuel could boost ethanol demand by 311.8 crore litres and provide Rs 12,403 crore in additional farmer income; NITI Aayog classifies these vehicles as Zero-Emission Vehicles, addressing air pollution and energy security.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Maruti Suzuki WagonR flex-fuel version introduced, becomes India's first E85 car
Maruti Suzuki has introduced the WagonR flex-fuel version, India’s first flex-fuel passenger car, marking a major step towards cleaner mobility and increased adoption of ethanol-blended fuels in the country.
Maruti unveils first Flex-Fuel Car: A major milestone in green mobility
Maruti Suzuki has unveiled its first flex-fuel vehicle, marking a significant step in India's transition towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions. The vehicle is designed to run on ethanol-blended fuel, supporting the government's push to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of domestically produced biofuels. The launch is expected to boost India's green mobility ambitions, strengthen energy security, and contrib…
According to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, with the launch of flex-fuel cars and bikes by manufacturers, India aims to open 500 flex-fuel retail pumps by the end of this year. Thereafter, the number of such outlets is planned to be increased to around 5,000 in major cities by the end of 2027. The focus on flex-fuel retail network stems from the government's desire to reduce its dependence on crude oil. To achieve t…
Maruti Suzuki unveils India’s first flex-fuel car as govt pushes for greater ethanol mix in petrol
Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday launched India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle, introducing a version of its Wagon R Flex Fuel capable of running on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E100, as the country seeks to reduce crude oil imports and lower carbon emissions. India has been promoting ethanol-blended petrol as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, one of the biggest contributors to its current account …
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