Alongside unveiling the E85-compliant ADV160, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has reiterated that flex-fuel technology will remain a key part of its long-term product strategy. The company says E85-compatible models will complement battery-electric vehicles under its multi-pathway approach to future mobility rather than replace them.
1. ADV160 is the first flex-fuel scooter showcased in India
2. Honda also showcased an e-scooter, a roadster, two cruisers and an adventure motorcycle duo
3. Honda’s future is multi-fuel, multi-pathway, says its GM for product planning
Honda’s multi-fuel pathway: What to expect?
The remarks come as India’s ethanol blending programme gathers pace
Our sister concern, Autocar Professional, got some insights into the Japanese marque’s product-planning strategy. Speaking at the HMSI 2026 event, Krishnakumar, general manager – Product Planning at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, said the company believes the future of mobility will be “multi-fuel, multi-pathway”, with different technologies catering to different customer needs and operating conditions.
“The future of mobility is multi-fuel, multi-pathway, and electric is one important part of that future,” he said while outlining Honda’s product strategy.
According to Honda, its flex-fuel journey began in 2009 with the introduction of the CG Titan Mix in Brazil, which the company describes as the world’s first production flex-fuel motorcycle. The experience gained from that programme has now been extended to products such as the ADV160.
Highlighting the company’s flex-fuel roadmap, Krishnakumar showcased the ADV160, an E85-compatible scooter capable of operating on any ethanol blend from E0 to E85. He said the system automatically adapts to the fuel blend, allowing the engine to optimise performance without any rider intervention. Notably, the ADV160 is also India’s first flex-fuel scooter to be showcased.
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The ADV160 is powered by a 156.9 cc liquid-cooled engine producing 16.3hp and 14.9Nm of torque. It will rival the likes of the Hero Xoom 160 and Yamaha Aerox 155.
Flex-fuel and electric:
Honda used the event to underline that flex-fuel is not being positioned as an alternative to electrification but as a complementary technology within its broader portfolio. Alongside the ADV160, the company showcased an electric scooter, as well as roadster, cruiser and adventure motorcycles, reinforcing its strategy of offering multiple powertrain solutions as customer requirements and infrastructure continue to evolve.
The remarks come as India’s ethanol blending programme gathers pace, with automakers and two-wheeler manufacturers increasingly evaluating flex-fuel technologies alongside battery-electric vehicles to support the country’s broader decarbonisation objectives.
With inputs from Kiran Murali and Mukul Yudhveer Singh
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Stephen Raj Antony
