The Flex Fuel Dilemma: All You Need to Know

India seems to have officially entered the ethanol era. Till now, most of us have been using E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. But now, India has also launched E85 fuel, which contains up to 85 per cent ethanol. Although there are very few E85 pumps in India, Mumbai recently got its first one; the government plans to have a total of 500 E85 fuel stations towards the end of 2026.

In fact, it doesn’t stop there since Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has approved the regulations that legally authorise the use of E100 fuel in India. This is expected to accelerate the development and adoption of flex-fuel two-wheelers in the country, but it isn’t without its pros and cons.

Why is India pushing ethanol?

Firstly, it reduces our dependence on imported crude oil because ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced locally from crops like sugarcane, corn, and other agricultural feedstocks. This ultimately supports Indian farmers as well by creating additional demand for agricultural produce. Further, it cuts emissions and helps make transportation cleaner. That said, the biggest advantage for consumers comes in the form of lower prices – one litre of E85 fuel is close to 20 rupees cheaper as compared to E20 petrol.

The Flip Side

Higher Ethanol blending has a bunch of drawbacks as well. Since ethanol is less energy-dense than petrol, vehicles generally deliver lower mileage. E20-compatible vehicles have already seen a slight reduction in fuel efficiency, while E85 might cause a result in a much bigger drop.

More importantly, ethanol absorbs moisture and can corrode the fuel system over time. It can cause faster wear and tear of parts like the fuel tank, pipelines, injectors, and other engine parts. Furthermore, high-ethanol fuels require specially engineered flex-fuel vehicles, and these vehicles are going to be a bit more expensive than their conventional (E20 or pure petrol) counterparts. The recently launched Splendor Plus flex fuel, for example, is Rs. 6,000 more expensive than the E20 version.

Where are we headed?

India’s fuel strategy is becoming more diversified. E20 is now the mainstream fuel, while higher ethanol blends like E85 are being introduced gradually. The goal of the government seems to be very clear – reduce oil imports, improve energy security and move towards cleaner, more domestically produced energy. However, the success of this strategy in the two-wheeler segment will depend on factors such as fuel availability, vehicle costs, maintenance requirements, and real-world running expenses. As manufacturers begin developing E85 and E100-compatible two-wheelers, it remains to be seen whether the benefits of ethanol can outweigh the practical challenges for everyday riders.