Autocar India

Maruti confirms showcase of India’s first flex-fuel car on June 4

Gadkari had claimed that the upcoming vehicle will be capable of running on 100 percent ethanol.
2 min read1 Jun '26
Suraj ViswanathanSuraj Viswanathan
273 views
Maruti WagonR flex fuel

Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will be showcasing the country’s first flex-fuel car on June 4, ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5, 2026. The event will be held at the Taj Palace in Delhi, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, in attendance.

India's first flex-fuel car: Here's what we know

Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on May 23, 2026, Gadkari stated that the upcoming car by Maruti Suzuki will be capable of running on 100 percent ethanol (E100). The Minister also mentioned that there are 12 companies have such flex-fuel vehicles, including Mahindra, Tata Motors and Toyota. “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.” Gadkari also stated his personal Toyota Innova has been running on bioethanol for the past 1.5 years.

During a discussion with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gadkari had communicated some of the benefits of switching from fossil fuels to biofuels. According to the Minister, doing so will help India become more self-reliant, lower pollution, reduce the country's annual fossil fuel imports, and provide consumers with cheaper fuel options, all while supporting farmers. 

While Maruti Suzuki is yet to disclose details on its upcoming models, they could include the production-spec versions of the WagonR flex fuel and Fronx flex fuel. The prototype of flex-fuel WagonR was first showcased at the Bharat Mobility show in Delhi in February 2024, while the Fronx flex-fuel prototype made its appearance at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.

Maruti has the capability to produce flex-fuel vehicles, company executives stated during one of the brand’s 2026 earning’s call. 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.” However, Bharti mentioned that volumes will be initially limited, and that “it will grow, say, 5 years to 10 years from now, it will become a meaningful volume, nothing immediately.”

Upcoming car launches in June 2026

Mercedes will launch its flagship ICE sedan in June 2026, while BMW will bring back its coupe-SUV after nearly three years.
4 min read1 Jun '26
Dipan SurDipan Sur
BMW X6 M60i, Mercedes S-Class facelift, tata Sierra EV driving

Mercedes G-Class Electric recalled over potential wheel bolt issue

99 G 580 units manufactured from July 12, 2024, to August 18, 2025, are affected.
1 min read31 May '26
Uday SinghUday Singh
Mercedes G Class Electric

Upcoming Jeep Global SUV to use Tata Sierra’s ARGOS platform

Jeep will use the ARGOS architecture for a next-generation model to be developed and exported from India
5 min read30 May '26
Hormazd SorabjeeHormazd Sorabjee
Tata Jeep SUV

Tata Motors to continue investing in hatchbacks despite SUV boom

Carmaker says hatchback segment has stabilised after years of decline and remains relevant for first-time buyers.
2 min read29 May '26
Dhruv DhakaDhruv Dhaka
Tiago

Tata Motors plans to raise EV production by 50 percent as demand rises

Automaker aims to increase EV supply to around 15,000 units a month over the next three to four months.
3 min read29 May '26
Dhruv DhakaDhruv Dhaka
tiago EV

Poll of the month

What do you think about the push for ethanol blends even higher than E20 petrol?

Good move; it cuts dependence on crude oil imports
I support it as it’s a greener solution than pure petrol
I’ll accept it only if it’s cheaper than E20 petrol
I am concerned about damage to my vehicle
Not good; fuel efficiency will drop even further
2561 votes74 days remaining
Can't decide which car to buy?
Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries.