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India Advances Green Transport Agenda with Flex-Fuel Vehicle Rollout
India has launched its first flex-fuel passenger vehicle, capable of running on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E100. The launch is being seen as a significant milestone in the country’s clean energy transition and efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
India took a major step towards sustainable transportation and energy security on Thursday with the launch of the country’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle by Maruti Suzuki India Limited in New Delhi.
The vehicle was unveiled by Hardeep Singh Puri and Nitin Gadkari.
Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to operate on varying blends of ethanol and petrol, ranging from E20 (20% ethanol blend) to E100 (100% ethanol fuel). The technology offers consumers greater fuel flexibility while supporting the country’s renewable energy goals.
Speaking at the launch event, Puri described the introduction of flex-fuel technology into the passenger vehicle segment as more than just a product launch, calling it the beginning of a new chapter in India’s energy transition journey.
He highlighted that large-scale adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could significantly enhance the impact of ethanol-based mobility and strengthen India’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The minister also noted that India’s ethanol blending programme has emerged as one of the world’s most successful energy transition initiatives.
According to Puri, the success of the ethanol programme has been driven by collaboration among farmers, ethanol producers, oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, scientists, and financial institutions, creating a robust ecosystem that supports cleaner mobility and energy self-reliance.
Nitin Gadkari described the launch as a landmark achievement aligned with the vision of Narendra Modi for sustainable and self-reliant transportation.
The minister said widespread adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could help reduce vehicular emissions, lower crude oil imports, and generate foreign exchange savings estimated at ₹1.44 lakh crore. He also emphasized the broader economic benefits of biofuel expansion, including increased demand for agricultural feedstock, enhanced farmer incomes, rural development, and job creation.
The launch is expected to provide momentum to India’s biofuel strategy and complement ongoing efforts to promote cleaner transportation technologies, including electric vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG), and alternative fuels.
Industry experts view flex-fuel technology as an important bridge solution that can help reduce carbon emissions while leveraging existing vehicle infrastructure and strengthening domestic energy security.