Hero MotoCorp plans to expand E85-compatible technology across its motorcycle range within the next one to two years, and it has also indicated that the same technology could potentially be adapted for older BS6 motorcycles already on the road. E85 is fuel with 85 percent ethanol content.
- Hero has launched E85-compliant versions of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe
- It has outlined the possibility of extending E85 compatibility to existing bikes
- Such a conversion would require upgrades to the fuel pump and fuel filter, as well as ECU recalibration
Hero bikes E85 conversion: What to expect?
While the technical pathway has been outlined, Hero hasn’t revealed the cost of such a retrofit package
The company launched E85-compliant versions of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe, marking its entry into the flex-fuel motorcycle segment. However, Hero’s ambitions extend beyond the two commuter models.
Speaking at the launch event, Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale said the company is ready to introduce flex-fuel technology across its motorcycle portfolio as ethanol availability and supporting infrastructure continue to expand.
“As ethanol linkage keeps growing and as more availability happens, we are ready to bring all our models with flex-fuel technology in a matter of one or two years, depending on how the linkage grows,” Chitale said.
The comments suggest Hero is preparing for a broader rollout of E85-compatible motorcycles, subject to the development of India’s ethanol ecosystem.
Alongside the future product roadmap, Hero also outlined the possibility of extending E85 compatibility to existing motorcycles. According to information shared at the event, BS6 Gen 1 motorcycles produced before the introduction of OBD-2 requirements can potentially be retrofitted to run on E85 fuel.
The conversion would require upgrades to components such as the fuel pump and fuel filter, along with recalibration of the ECU. These modifications are necessary to accommodate the different fuel-delivery requirements of higher ethanol blends.
While the technical pathway has been outlined, Hero has yet to reveal the cost of such a retrofit package or indicate whether a formal retrofit programme will be introduced.
The retrofit possibility is significant as it could expand the reach of flex-fuel technology beyond new vehicle sales and into the existing BS6-era motorcycle parc. It also aligns with comments made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has advocated the development of retrofit solutions that would enable older motorcycles to operate on higher ethanol blends.
Hero chose the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe to debut the technology due to their scale and reach in the commuter motorcycle market. The company believes wider adoption of ethanol-based fuels can help reduce dependence on imported crude oil while creating additional demand for domestically produced biofuels.
For now, E85 compatibility is available only on the newly launched Splendor+ and HF Deluxe. However, with Hero targeting a portfolio-wide rollout over the next one to two years and exploring the retrofit potential for older BS6 motorcycles, the company appears to be positioning flex-fuel technology as a key part of its future powertrain strategy.
Vishal Venugopal
