Mumbai joins Delhi in the list of cities offering E85 fuel. The high-ethanol fuel blend is now available in the city at Rs 91.18 per litre, making it around Rs 9 more expensive than Delhi, where E85 currently sells at a lower price.
E85 is a fuel blend that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It targets flex-fuel vehicles that are specifically designed to run on high ethanol blends. The fuel is also much cheaper than E20 gasoline currently sold across the country. In Mumbai, E20 petrol is priced at Rs 111.33 per litre, meaning motorists using compatible vehicles can save more than Rs 20 per litre by opting for E85. The introduction of E85 is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce crude oil imports, support domestic ethanol production and reduce tailpipe emissions. Ethanol is produced primarily from agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane and corn, making it a renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
However, the biggest challenge remains compatibility with the car. At present, only a few models sold in India can run on E85. Maruti Suzuki recently launched the WagonR Bioflex, making it the country’s first flex-fuel passenger car. Priced at Rs 7.24 lakh, ex-showroom, the hatchback is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12N petrol engine that can run on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp introduced Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. Both motorcycles are capable of running on E85 fuel. Suzuki also sells a flex-fuel compatible version of the Gixxer SF 250 in India.