Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has launched India’s first flex-fuel passenger car, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition towards cleaner and more self-reliant mobility solutions.
The company has introduced flex-fuel technology in the WagonR, one of its most popular models and a brand that has previously played a pioneering role in alternative fuel mobility through CNG and LPG variants.
The launch enables customers to operate the vehicle on any blend of ethanol and petrol ranging from E20 to E100, providing greater fuel flexibility while supporting India’s energy security and sustainability objectives.
Supporting India’s ethanol ambitions
The introduction of flex-fuel technology comes as India accelerates efforts to reduce its dependence on imported crude oil and expand the use of domestically produced biofuels.
Apart from lowering oil imports, wider adoption of flex-fuel vehicles is expected to create additional demand for ethanol, providing a fresh source of income for farmers and strengthening the rural economy.
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said biofuels have a critical role to play in reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
Nitin Gadkari said, “India imports a large quantity of crude oil every year, and biofuels like ethanol are an important pathway towards reducing this dependence while strengthening our rural economy. Flex-Fuel Vehicles can create a strong and sustainable demand for ethanol, benefiting our farmers, industry, and the environment together. I appreciate Maruti Suzuki for taking this leadership step by introducing India’s first flex-fuel car and supporting the Government’s vision of clean and self-reliant mobility.”
Boost for farmers and energy security
The government has been promoting ethanol blending as part of its broader strategy to enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions and improve farm incomes.
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said flex-fuel vehicles can help deliver multiple economic and environmental benefits.
Hardeep Singh Puri said, “India’s ethanol journey is unstoppable. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have transformed our farmers from ‘annadatas’ to ‘urjadatas’, while strengthening India’s energy security. Flex-Fuel Vehicles are a win-win for the nation — reducing crude oil import dependence, saving valuable foreign exchange, lowering emissions, and creating new opportunities for rural prosperity.”
Maruti Suzuki bets on multiple technologies
Maruti Suzuki said the launch reflects its strategy of offering multiple technology pathways as India transitions towards cleaner mobility.
The company is simultaneously investing in battery electric vehicles, hybrids, CNG, compressed biogas and flex-fuel technologies to address evolving consumer needs and support national decarbonisation goals.
Maruti Suzuki India, Managing Director & CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we are committed to offer cars with multiple technologies and fuels. The Company is introducing BEVs, Hybrids, CNG/CBG and ethanol flex-fuel vehicles to meet India’s twin goals of reducing oil import and carbon emissions. The ecosystem for ethanol as a fuel in India is in its early stages, and as a market leader, we think it is our responsibility to contribute to make ‘India Go Flex’.”
He added that mainstream adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could help reduce oil imports, lower carbon emissions, curb local air pollution and increase domestic value creation.
Engineered for ethanol compatibility
Maruti Suzuki’s flex-fuel WagonR has been specifically engineered to operate on ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 to E100.
The vehicle features advanced engine control unit (ECU) calibration technology that automatically adapts to varying ethanol blends, ensuring seamless performance regardless of the fuel mix used.
The launch places Maruti Suzuki among the early movers in India’s emerging flex-fuel vehicle segment and aligns with the government’s efforts to build a broader ethanol-based mobility ecosystem