Autobayng News Team
Maruti Suzuki unveiled India’s first flex-fuel car, the WagonR, as the government ramps up E85 fuel infrastructure.“>
The government is planning to establish approximately 500 flex-fuel stations by the year-end with a target to scale it to nearly 5,000 dispensing stations by the end of 2027, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Thursday.
“There was an attempt earlier to set up a large number of e-100 dispensing stations, but then the models were not ready, now I think, we are starting with about 50 to 100 dispensing stations in the Delhi NCR region and Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur…hopefully go up to 500 towards the end of 2026. And if this will go on as expected then by 5,000 by the end of December 2027,” Puri said on the sidelines of Maruti Suzuki’s flex fuel unveiling.
The government has already achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol ahead of its plans and is now targeting higher blends up to E85 in the coming time.
The minister also reiterated the government’s plan to promote the affordable and faster adoption of E85 fuel blends through policy support, including by making E85 substantially cheaper than normal fuel.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said flex-fuel push is linked to the government’s efforts to reduce air pollution and curb oil imports.
“Our country spends around ₹22-23 lakh crore on fossil fuel imports. If we want to become truly self-reliant, we have to reduce imports and increase the use of domestically produced fuels,” said Gadkari.
Maruti’s flex-fuel WagonR
To support the government’s push for higher usage of ethanol-based fuel, the country’s largest carmaker on Thursday unveiled its first-flex fuel vehicle, WagonR. A day earlier, Hero MotoCorp, also launched two new E85-compliant flex fuel motorcycles– Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe.
These launches by high-volume manufacturers into this new mobility space could bring more ethanol consumption and strengthen India’s energy security.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Maruti Suzuki’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said flex-fuel technology is an important pillar in India’s multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation.
“First, reduce dependence on imported crude oil. Second, reduce carbon emissions. Flex-fuel meets both. It is truly Atmanirbhar and clean,” he added.
The WagonR is E20 to E100-complaint, however, the company stated that it is homologated with E85 fuel since Central Motor Vehicle Rules defines flex fuel as E20 to E85.
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