- Hero MotoCorp will launch its first flex-fuel motorcycle in India on June 3
- The launch event will be attended by ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri
- Flex-fuel motorcycles can run on petrol-ethanol blends including E85 and higher
Hero MotoCorp, India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, is set to launch its first flex-fuel motorcycle in the Indian market today, June 3. The launch event will be attended by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This launch marks a major milestone in the brand's history and represents a significant contribution to the country's transition to cleaner alternative fuels.
Understanding Flex-Fuel Vehicle Technology
A flex-fuel vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine that can operate on any blend of petrol and ethanol. This includes E85, which contains 85 per cent ethanol, and other higher ethanol blends. Currently, the Indian market offers vehicles designed to run on E20 fuel. However, the government aims to achieve compatibility with E100 fuel in the future, primarily through the widespread adoption of flex-fuel vehicles.
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Hero MotoCorp's Upcoming Flex-Fuel Motorcycle
Hero MotoCorp has not yet officially revealed the name of its first flex-fuel motorcycle. If reports are to be trusted, the maiden models will likely be based on the Splendor and the HF Deluxe. These are among the brand's most popular models in the commuter segment and boast a substantial consumer base. Notably, the first flex-fuel model showcased by Hero at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was also based on the HF Deluxe.
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Status of Flex Fuel Vehicles In India
Currently, Suzuki Motorcycle India is the only two-wheeler manufacturer offering a flex-fuel motorcycle in India. The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, powered by a 249cc single-cylinder engine, is sold at a starting price of Rs 1.98 lakh (ex-showroom). Earlier, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India had launched the Honda CB300F with a flex-fuel engine, but it was later discontinued.
In the four-wheeler segment, Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch its maiden flex-fuel vehicle on June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day, as announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The brand has not yet revealed the model name, but it is expected to be the flex-fuel version of the WagonR. Hero's entry into the flex-fuel space will intensify competition and accelerate India's shift toward sustainable mobility.