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New Delhi: India’s green mobility journey took a significant leap forward on Thursday as automobile giant Maruti Suzuki unveiled the country’s first flex-fuel passenger car, while Hero MotoCorp launched ethanol-powered commuter motorcycles, marking a major milestone in the government’s push for cleaner and more sustainable transportation.

The twin launches signal the beginning of a new era in Indian mobility, where vehicles can run on higher blends of ethanol, reducing dependence on imported crude oil and supporting the nation’s ambitious energy transition goals.

Maruti Brings Flex-Fuel Technology to the Mass Market

Maruti Suzuki introduced the flex-fuel version of its popular WagonR, making it the first passenger vehicle in India capable of operating on a wide range of ethanol-petrol blends. The vehicle has been developed to seamlessly adapt to different fuel compositions, paving the way for wider adoption of ethanol-based mobility in the country.

The launch reflects Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to supporting India’s drive toward alternative fuels while offering consumers cleaner and more economical mobility solutions.

Hero Bets Big on Ethanol-Powered Two-Wheelers

Hero MotoCorp, the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, simultaneously expanded the flex-fuel ecosystem by launching ethanol-compatible versions of its bestselling commuter motorcycles — the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe.

Designed to run on high ethanol blends, the motorcycles are expected to play a crucial role in popularising flex-fuel technology among millions of daily commuters, particularly in rural and semi-urban India where two-wheelers remain the primary mode of transport.

What Makes Flex-Fuel Vehicles Different?

Flex-fuel vehicles are equipped with specially engineered engines and fuel systems that can automatically adjust to varying mixtures of petrol and ethanol. Unlike conventional vehicles, they do not require manual modifications when fuel blends change, offering greater flexibility and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Ethanol, which is produced from agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane and maize, burns cleaner than conventional petrol and contributes to lower carbon emissions.

Why the Government Is Backing Ethanol

India imports the majority of its crude oil requirements, making fuel imports one of the country’s largest expenditure items. By promoting ethanol-blended fuels and flex-fuel vehicles, policymakers aim to enhance energy security, reduce import bills, and create additional income opportunities for farmers through increased demand for agricultural produce.

The ethanol programme is also aligned with India’s climate commitments and efforts to reduce vehicular emissions.

A New Chapter in India’s Green Mobility Story

The launch of Maruti Suzuki’s flex-fuel WagonR and Hero MotoCorp’s ethanol-powered motorcycles represents more than just new vehicle introductions. It marks the beginning of a broader transformation in India’s transportation landscape, where cleaner fuels, lower emissions and greater energy independence are becoming central to the future of mobility.

As fuel infrastructure expands and ethanol availability increases across the country, flex-fuel vehicles could soon emerge as a mainstream alternative for millions of Indian consumers.

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