Hardeep Singh Puri Launches E85 Fuel as India Accelerates Flex-Fuel Mobility Drive – Indian PSU
India on Friday took a major step towards cleaner and more self-reliant mobility by launching E85 fuel, a high ethanol-blended petrol variant containing 80-85 percent ethanol, as part of its strategy to accelerate flex-fuel mobility across the country.
The E85 fuel was formally launched in New Delhi by Hardeep Singh Puri, who described the initiative as a transformative move towards cleaner transportation, enhanced energy security, and reduced dependence on imported crude oil.
The launch comes as leading automobile manufacturers have begun introducing flex-fuel compatible vehicles in the Indian market. Companies including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp have already rolled out flex-fuel variants of popular models such as the WagonR and Splendor.
Addressing concerns over consumer affordability, Puri reiterated that flex-fuel mobility must make economic sense for vehicle owners. He noted that studies indicate consumers could recover the additional cost of flex-fuel vehicles within approximately three years if E85 fuel is priced significantly lower than E20 fuel, owing to reduced fuel expenses.
The government is currently examining policy measures to support wider adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), including pricing incentives, road tax concessions, consumer awareness programmes, and the development of storage and dispensing infrastructure.
In a significant policy endorsement, NITI Aayog has classified ethanol-based Flex-Fuel Vehicles, including those operating on E85, as zero-emission vehicles. According to the government, E85 fuel also generates near-zero particulate matter emissions, making it a promising solution for tackling urban air pollution.
Outlining the government’s roadmap for a nationwide flex-fuel ecosystem, Puri said E85 has been identified as the mono-fuel standard for Flex-Fuel Vehicles under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications.
The rollout plan envisages the establishment of 50-100 FFV-ready fuel retail outlets in the Delhi-NCR and Mumbai-Pune-Nagpur corridors during the initial phase. The network is expected to expand to nearly 500 outlets by the end of 2026 and approximately 5,000 outlets across major Indian cities by the end of 2027.
The government is also considering measures such as special identifiers for flex-fuel vehicles and fuel stations, availability of E85 testing fuel, and targeted awareness campaigns to encourage consumer adoption.
“This is not merely a transition in fuel, but it is the creation of a complete ecosystem for cleaner mobility, stronger energy security, and greater self-reliance,” Puri said.
Speaking earlier at the launch of Hero MotoCorp’s flex-fuel variants of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe motorcycles, Puri had underlined the economic benefits of the new fuel, saying, “E85 fuel will be used for vehicles compliant with E85. It will be substantially cheaper than normal fuel.” The government believes the lower cost of E85 compared to conventional petrol could significantly improve consumer acceptance of flex-fuel vehicles while reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
The E85 launch forms a key pillar of India’s broader energy transition strategy, aimed at boosting domestic biofuel production, supporting farmers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering the country’s import dependence on fossil fuels.
