Maruti Launches Flex Fuel WagonR

Maruti Suzuki has launched India’s first domestically developed flex-fuel car, the WagonR, marking a major step in the country’s clean energy mobility push. The launch comes a day after Hero MotoCorp introduced the nation’s first flex fuel motorcycles, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, highlighting rapid expansion in alternative fuel vehicles.

The WagonR flex fuel vehicle is designed to run on multiple ethanol blended fuels, ranging from E20 to E100, including E22, E25, E30, and E85. The company stated that the technology supports India’s energy security and sustainability goals. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari noted that reducing crude oil imports and promoting ethanol can strengthen the rural economy. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri added that flex fuel adoption will reduce emissions and foreign exchange outflow while boosting rural development.

The government plans to expand ethanol fuel infrastructure across the country, starting with 50 100 stations in Delhi NCR and cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. This will be increased to 500 stations within a year and 5,000 stations by 2027. While India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending, the focus is now shifting to E22, E25, E30, E85, and E100 fuels. However, experts note concerns about pricing and mileage, as flex-fuel vehicles may have lower fuel efficiency and higher costs compared to conventional petrol vehicles.