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IndiAgri Bureau
New Delhi: In a significant development for India's ethanol blending programme and green mobility mission, Hero MotoCorp has launched the country's first mass-market flex-fuel motorcycles capable of running on E85 fuel, a blend containing up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.
The company introduced the new Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel motorcycles in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
The launch is being viewed as a major milestone in India's efforts to reduce crude oil imports, cut vehicular emissions and increase the use of domestically produced biofuels.
Unlike conventional motorcycles that run primarily on petrol, the newly launched Hero motorcycles can operate on ethanol-blended fuel ranging from E20 to E85.
To support higher ethanol content, Hero MotoCorp has upgraded several components including the fuel system, engine calibration and electronic control systems. The motorcycles are designed to deliver reliable performance while using cleaner fuel.
The Splendor+ Flex Fuel is powered by a 97.2cc engine producing around 8.4 bhp and 8.3 Nm of torque. The HF Deluxe Flex Fuel uses a similar powertrain adapted for ethanol-rich fuel blends.
Hero MotoCorp has announced the following ex-showroom prices in Delhi:
The motorcycles will initially be available in Delhi and selected regions of Maharashtra from July 2026, with a wider rollout expected in the coming months.
India has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Ethanol is primarily produced from sugarcane, sugar syrup, molasses and other agricultural feedstocks.
Higher ethanol consumption creates additional market opportunities for sugar mills and farmers while helping the country save foreign exchange spent on crude oil imports.
The government has already achieved nationwide availability of E20 petrol and is now encouraging the development of vehicles capable of using higher ethanol blends such as E85.
The growing adoption of ethanol-based fuels is expected to strengthen demand for sugarcane and other biofuel feedstocks.
Industry experts believe that increased ethanol production can provide additional revenue streams to farmers, improve liquidity in the sugar sector and support rural employment.
With India aiming to become a global leader in biofuels, the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles is likely to accelerate investments across the ethanol value chain, from farm production to fuel distribution.
Speaking at the launch event, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari described ethanol as an important solution for reducing pollution and lowering India's fuel import bill.
The government has been encouraging automobile manufacturers to develop vehicles compatible with alternative fuels, including ethanol, compressed biogas, green hydrogen and electric powertrains.
The Splendor and HF Deluxe are among India's highest-selling commuter motorcycles. By bringing flex-fuel technology to these mass-market models, Hero MotoCorp has taken a significant step toward making alternative fuel mobility accessible to ordinary consumers.
Industry observers believe the move could encourage other two-wheeler manufacturers to introduce similar products, helping expand the market for ethanol-based transportation in India.
As the country's biofuel ecosystem continues to grow, the launch of these E85-compatible motorcycles marks another important step in linking India's agriculture sector with its clean energy future.
