Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R is India’s first Flex-Fuel car that can run on E20 to E100 Ethanol blends

On the eve of World Environment Day, fuelling the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) today launched India’s first flex-fuel car in the august presence of Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, and Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri.

A flex-fuel car gives customers the flexibility to operate on any blend of ethanol and petrol ranging from E20 to E100*. Maruti Suzuki has introduced this technology in the Wagon R, a popular nameplate that has consistently been at the forefront of alternative fuel mobility in India, having previously pioneered CNG and LPG-powered offerings.

With the introduction of India’s first flex-fuel car, Maruti Suzuki has brought forward an innovation closely aligned with the nation’s energy security and sustainability objectives. Beyond the potential to significantly reduce oil imports, flex-fuel vehicles are also expected to create new opportunities for the agricultural sector and contribute towards enhancing farmer incomes.

Speaking at the launch event, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, said, “India imports a large quantity of crude oil every year, and biofuels like ethanol are an important pathway towards reducing this dependence while strengthening our rural economy. Flex-Fuel Vehicles can create a strong and sustainable demand for ethanol, benefiting our farmers, industry, and the environment together. I appreciate Maruti Suzuki for taking this leadership step by introducing India’s first flex-fuel car and supporting the Government’s vision of clean and self-reliant mobility. I am confident that this initiative will encourage other car manufacturers to launch their flex-fuel models and oil industry to enhance ethanol distribution infrastructure.”

Highlighting the broader significance of ethanol-led mobility, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, remarked, “India’s ethanol journey is unstoppable. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have transformed our farmers from `annadatas’ to ‘urjadatas’, while strengthening India’s energy security. Flex-Fuel Vehicles are a win-win for the nation – reducing crude oil import dependence, saving valuable foreign exchange, lowering emissions, and creating new opportunities for rural prosperity. I congratulate Maruti Suzuki on taking this important step towards a cleaner, greener, and more self-reliant energy future.”

Commenting on the company’s broader strategy towards cleaner mobility solutions, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we are committed to offer cars with multiple technologies and fuels. The Company is introducing BEVs, Hybrids, CNG/CBG and ethanol flex-fuel vehicles to meet India’s twin goals of reducing oil import and carbon emissions. The ecosystem for ethanol as a fuel in India is in its early stages, and as a market leader, we think it is our responsibility to contribute to make `India Go Flex’. Once it reaches mainstream adoption, Flex-Fuel Vehicles have the potential to cut oil imports, carbon emissions, and local air pollution while enhancing domestic value addition and farmer incomes.”

About the Flex-Fuel Car

Maruti Suzuki’s first flex-fuel vehicle has been engineered specifically for compatibility with ethanol-blended fuels. The car features advanced ECU calibration technology that can seamlessly adapt to any ethanol blend between E20 and E100*, ensuring flexibility and convenience for customers as India gradually expands its ethanol ecosystem.

The launch marks an important milestone in the evolution of alternative fuel mobility in India and reinforces Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to supporting the country’s long-term sustainability and energy independence goals.