Hero MotoCorp Launched its First Flex-Fuel Motorcycle

Indian multinational two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp launched its first flex-fuel motorcycle in New Delhi today. 

India has one of the world’s largest two-wheeler ecosystems, with an active two-wheeler fleet of over 300 million vehicles, and Hero MotoCorp is one of the largest players. 

Hero MotoCorp flex-fuel motorcycles are equipped with internal combustion engines and upgraded fuel systems that can operate on petrol-ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85.

The flex-fuel technology has the potential to transform mobility at an unprecedented scale, allowing an internal combustion engine to run on more than one type of fuel—typically a blend of petrol and ethanol. 

Therefore, today’s launch is a defining moment in India’s mobility and ethanol-blending quest, which was at just 1.5% in 2014 and has now reached 20% blending, even as we look beyond.

The success and increased adoption of flex-fuel technology will help India reduce its energy import bill and provide an additional source of income for farmers. 

Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Mr Nitin Gadkari, along with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, were the chief guests at the launch. 

Mr Nitin Gadkari congratulated the team on this pioneering initiative, stating that it aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for clean, self-reliant, and sustainable mobility.

Mr Gadkari noted that, as the world’s largest two-wheeler market, India is well-positioned to lead the transition towards flex-fuel mobility.

He highlighted that adopting this technology can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 77 per cent, lower import dependence, and enable foreign exchange savings of ₹1.44 lakh crore.

Mr Gadkari further emphasised that the initiative will strengthen rural energy security, boost biofuel demand, support farmers, promote waste-to-wealth initiatives, and generate employment opportunities.

Mr Hardeep Singh Puri said Flex Fuel Vehicles offer India a practical solution to reduce crude oil imports, strengthen the rural economy through ethanol demand, and advance low-carbon mobility. 

Mr Puri described the launch of Hero MotoCorp’s flex-fuel motorcycle as a new chapter in India’s energy history, introducing motorcycles compatible with ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85.

He added that the launch of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel motorcycles marks India’s entry into mass-market flex-fuel mobility with Aatmanirbhar vehicles.

The minister said that India’s future mobility ecosystem will combine EVs, biofuels, hydrogen and renewables in a manner suited to Indian realities. He noted that India currently imports nearly 88.5% of its crude oil requirement, making the economy and energy security vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.

The ethanol blending program of the Government of India, since ESY 2014-15, has saved India ₹1.84 lakh crore in foreign exchange, resulting in 302 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil substitution and 909 lakh metric tonnes reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The significant outcome is that the program has added ₹1.58 lakh crore in earnings for farmers, turning our Annadatas into Urjadatas.

The Minister said that even a 1% adoption of annual petrol vehicle sales in India during ESY 2026-27 would generate demand for 4 crore litres of ethanol, for which payments of about ₹266 crore will be made to distilleries, saving us ₹195 crore in foreign exchange.

This would lead to a reduction of approximately 0.28 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil imports and a net CO₂ reduction of nearly 0.86 lakh metric tonnes.

Importantly, around ₹160 crore would flow directly to Indian farmers, rather than leaving the country for oil imports. He said the impact would become transformational as flex-fuel technology scales across India’s vast two-wheeler ecosystem.

E-85 Flex fuels offer several benefits, such as lower vehicle manufacturing cost, minimal infrastructure capex, and faster rollout (~10-15x faster than EV network). Electric vehicles are also highly import-dependent for battery components and generate significant upstream carbon emissions.

In contrast, flex-fuel vehicles rely on homegrown biofuels and avoid battery-related emissions, making them completely Atmanirbhar and resulting in a lower carbon footprint.

Further, flex-fuel demand would provide immediate income support to our farmers by increasing demand for ethanol feedstock.

Mr Puri further stated that Flex-fuel mobility must also make economic sense for consumers. Studies indicate that if E85 fuel is priced appropriately lower than E20, consumers can recover the cost of the vehicle within approximately three years through fuel savings resulting from the lower fuel price.

The Minister added that the Government is actively examining supportive policy frameworks to accelerate the adoption of affordable options.

Addressing common misconceptions about Flexi Fuel, the Minister clarified that India’s E20 rollout followed extensive testing by SIAM, ARAI, IOCL and vehicle manufacturers.

Global experience, including Brazil’s successful adoption of higher ethanol blends, which I had the opportunity of witnessing during my posting to Brasilia between 2006 and 2008, demonstrates that flex-fuel mobility is proven, scalable and reliable, the minister further added.

The minister added that supportive policies, including fuel pricing support and targeted incentives, can accelerate adoption, enhance affordability and position India as a global leader in flex-fuel mobility solutions.