Posts tagged: Ethanol Car India

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, while announcing at an event recently, said that the country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki will launch India's first E100 flex fuel passenger car in Delhi on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026. This car will be able to run on 100% ethanol, which will prove to be a big step in reducing India's dependence on petrol and diesel, increasing the income of farmers and reducing pollution. Gadkari said that this vehicle will be capable of running on any mixture including E100 (100% ethanol). With this, India will be able to develop an ethanol ecosystem like Brazil.

Maruti has not yet revealed the name of the official model, but it is likely that the flex fuel version of WagonR or Fronx will be the first to hit the market. Earlier, the company had shown the Fronx Flex Fuel prototype in Japan. Let us know how Maruti's first flex fuel car could be in terms of design, engine and performance?

Design and interior

The design of the car will remain the same as the existing models. However, it will be offered with an ethanol compatible tank, piping and body reinforcement. Attractive LED lights, modern front grille and roof rails are expected. Expect to get a practical and spacious cabin, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering mounted controls, good quality fabric seats and digital instrument cluster.

Features and safety

Features like automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, USB charging, Bluetooth connectivity and keyless entry can be provided in it. Ethanol level indicator and fuel monitoring system will be new. Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors and high-strength steel structure make it special. Additional safety features can be added for flex fuel engines.

Engine and Mileage

It will potentially get a 1.2 liter flex fuel engine, which can run on both petrol and ethanol. Power may be slightly reduced in E100 mode, but torque will be good. Mileage is expected to be 20-22 kmpl on petrol and 15-18 kmpl on E100 (due to lower energy density of ethanol). Since ethanol is cheap (about ₹65/litre), the effective cost will be around ₹25/litre. This launch will boost India's ethanol blending program (beyond E20), reduce oil imports and benefit the environment.