Delhi has joined the list of cities offering E85 fuel in Mumbai. The high-ethanol blend fuel is now priced at Rs 91.18 per liter in the city, making it about Rs 9 more than in Delhi, where E85 is currently sold at a lower price. E85 is a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It is aimed at flex-fuel vehicles specifically designed to run on high ethanol blends. The fuel is also much cheaper than the E20 gasoline currently sold domestically. The price of E20 petrol in Mumbai is Rs 111.33 per litre, meaning drivers using eligible vehicles can save over Rs 20 per liter by opting for E85. The introduction of E85 is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce crude oil imports, support domestic ethanol production and reduce tailpipe emissions. Ethanol is mainly produced from agricultural raw materials such as sugarcane and corn, making it a renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.However, the biggest challenge remains vehicle compatibility. Currently, only a few models sold in India can run on E85. Maruti Suzuki recently launched WagonR Bioflex, making it the country’s first flex fuel passenger car. Priced at Rs 7.24 lakh ex-showroom, the hatchback is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12N petrol engine capable of running on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp launched Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. Both motorcycles are capable of running on E85 fuel. Suzuki also sells a flex-fuel compatible version of the Gixxer SF 250 in India.
