New Delhi, June 4 (APAC Media): Hero MotoCorp on Wednesday unveiled two new flex-fuel motorcycles, the Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, as India accelerates efforts to increase ethanol blending in petrol and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
The launch comes shortly after the Centre introduced new fuel standards permitting petrol blended with up to 30 per cent ethanol, aimed at strengthening the country’s biofuel ecosystem and enhancing energy security.
Flex-Fuel Models to Roll Out from July
The newly launched motorcycles are compatible with ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. Hero MotoCorp announced that both models will be introduced in Delhi and selected regions of Maharashtra in July 2026, with a nationwide rollout planned thereafter.
“As the world’s largest two-wheeler market, India is uniquely positioned to lead the transition towards cleaner fuel alternatives,” said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
He added that flex-fuel technology could significantly reduce carbon monoxide emissions, lower dependence on imported fuel, and contribute substantial savings in foreign exchange.
Ethanol Blending Push Gains Momentum
India currently uses E20 fuel as the standard petrol blend available across the country.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles marks an important milestone in India’s ethanol blending programme. He highlighted that ethanol blending has increased from around 1.5 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent today.
According to the minister, wider adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could help reduce the country’s energy import bill while creating additional income opportunities for farmers through increased demand for ethanol.
Puri also pointed to international examples such as Brazil, where higher ethanol blends have been successfully integrated into the transportation sector, demonstrating the viability and scalability of flex-fuel technology.
Hero MotoCorp Eyes Wider Adoption
Speaking on the development, Ashutosh Varma, Chief Business Officer, India Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said the newly launched motorcycles are capable of automatically adapting to the ethanol blend available in the fuel.
He said the company’s objective is to demonstrate its readiness for future mobility solutions by introducing flex-fuel technology in the mass-market motorcycle segment.
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