Mumbai Gets its First E85 Fuel Pump

• E85 priced at Rs. 91.18 per litre
• Around Rs. 20 cheaper than conventional fuel

Mumbai’s first E85 fuel pump has recently been inaugurated, marking a major step in the government’s push towards faster adoption of Ethanol-blended fuel in India. After recently opening India’s first-ever E85 pump in Delhi, the government now plans to gradually make it available in more cities across India. In fact, the aim is to have as many as 500 E85 fuel stations across the country by 2026.

E85 is a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. At Rs. 91.18 per litre, it is significantly cheaper than regular petrol, which currently costs Rs. 111.33 per litre in the city. E85 requires a flex-fuel engine that is specifically designed to handle the higher ethanol content. Hero is one among the first few brands which recently introduced E85-compatible models – Splendor+ and HF Deluxe flex fuel.

The introduction of E85 is part of India’s broader plan to reduce dependence on imported crude oil. Since ethanol is produced locally from crops such as sugarcane and maize, its wider adoption could also benefit the agricultural sector. The availability of E85 is also expected to encourage automakers to accelerate the development of flex-fuel vehicles. Several manufacturers have already showcased flex-fuel concepts and prototypes in recent years.

That said, ethanol has less energy density than petrol, so vehicles running on E85 typically return lower fuel efficiency. While the fuel is cheaper at the pump, the real-world savings may not be as significant.