Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has said that Maruti Suzuki will reveal a flex-fuel passenger vehicle on June 5, World Environment Day. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Gadkari said the upcoming vehicle will be capable of running on E100 fuel, or 100 percent ethanol.
While Maruti Suzuki has not officially confirmed the model yet, the company had previously showcased flex-fuel prototypes of the Wagon R and Fronx at global and domestic motor shows.
- India’s first E100-compatible passenger vehicle expected on June 5
- Flex-fuel Wagon R and Fronx prototypes were showcased previously
- Wider flex-fuel adoption likely to depend on ethanol fuel infrastructure
Gadkari announces E100-compatible Maruti model
Speaking at the event, Gadkari said, “Vehicles with such flex-fuel engines are going to be introduced on a large scale soon. On the occasion of Environment Day this year, there is a programme in Delhi where Maruti Suzuki will launch vehicles running 100 percent on ethanol.”
The minister also highlighted the government’s push to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and crude oil imports. “We should minimise the use of petrol, diesel and gas because 87 percent of these fuels are imported into our country. They not only cause pollution but also increase imports.”
Gadkari added that several manufacturers, including Toyota, Tata, Mahindra and Suzuki, are already working on flex-fuel vehicles in India. The country has already standardised E20 fuel, while BIS specifications for higher ethanol blends such as E22, E25, E27 and E30 have also been introduced as part of the ethanol roadmap.
Wagon R and Fronx among likely flex-fuel candidates
Although Maruti Suzuki has not revealed the model name yet, both the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Maruti Suzuki Fronx are among the strongest candidates for the flex-fuel debut. The company had earlier showcased a flex-fuel Wagon R prototype at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024, while Suzuki also displayed an E85-compatible flex-fuel version of the Fronx at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. We had also reported that the Fronx flex-fuel was expected to make its India debut in 2026.
The upcoming flex-fuel model is expected to feature upgraded fuel lines, injectors, seals and revised engine calibration to handle higher ethanol concentrations. Vehicles capable of running on E100 require specially designed fuel system components because ethanol is more corrosive and absorbs moisture more easily than petrol. Industry estimates cited in reports suggest that adapting vehicles for higher ethanol blends could initially increase costs by around Rs 40,000-50,000, depending on the model and manufacturer.
Maruti Suzuki executives have previously said the company already has the required technology for flex-fuel vehicles and higher ethanol blends, although widespread adoption could take time. During the company’s earnings call earlier this year, Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer for Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, said, “We have the technology, whether it is for ethanol-blending increase or for flex-fuel vehicles. We have the technology, and we’ll support the government whenever the need arises.”
Bharti also cautioned that volumes are expected to remain limited initially. “The volumes will be minimal at this stage. It will grow, say, 5 years to 10 years from now, it will become a meaningful volume, nothing immediately.”
What is E100 fuel?
E100 refers to pure ethanol fuel with no petrol. Compared to petrol, ethanol has a higher octane rating but requires specially designed engines and fuel systems for compatibility. The government has been pushing ethanol adoption in India as part of efforts to reduce crude oil imports and increase the use of domestically produced alternative fuels.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dipan Sur
