Save Money, Save Environment, Save Foreign Exchange!
— Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri launched E85 fuel at an IndianOil retail outlet in New Delhi today on the occasion of World Environment Day 2026. Senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and CMDs of public sector OMCs were also present during the event.
E85 is a high-ethanol blended fuel comprising 80–85% ethanol and 14–19% petrol, specifically designed for use in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). The initiative aims to facilitate the adoption of Flex-Fuel Vehicles, which are capable of operating on ethanol blends from E20 to E100.
Now
✅ Benefits of E85 (Official Data)
- 💰 ₹20 per litre lower than conventional petrol
- 🌍 61% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
- ⚡ Research Octane Number (RON) of ~108 → superior knock resistance, better performance
- 🌱 Near-zero particulate matter → cleaner urban air quality
- Foreign exchange saved: ₹1.84 lakh crore
- Crude oil imports substituted: 302 lakh metric tonnes
- If 50% new vehicles are FFV: ₹12,403 crore to farmers
- Additional forex savings: ₹15,151 crore/year
- CO2 reduction: 66.4 lakh metric tonnes
- June 2026: 48 stations launched
- December 2026: 500 stations
- December 2027: 5,000 stations
- 2030-31 Target: 26% ethanol blending nationwide
⚠️ Important Clarification from the Minister
"E85 fuel is meant exclusively for specially designed flex-fuel vehicles, not for normal petrol vehicles."
- ✅ Since E20 became standard, no reported engine failures due to ethanol blending
- ✅ E20-compatible vehicles deliver improved acceleration and better ride quality
- ✅ Ethanol-blended fuel has no impact on vehicle insurance validity
🌾 Farmers: From Annadatas to Urjadatas
Every litre of ethanol replaces imported fossil fuel. Every drop of E85 carries with it the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Minister noted that while EV technologies rely on imported batteries and critical minerals, E85-powered vehicles run on domestically produced ethanol from the sweat and toil of Indian farmers.
The recent launch of flex-fuel compatible two-wheelers, four-wheelers and now E85 fuel marks India's transition from pilot initiatives towards a structured national flex-fuel ecosystem.
- Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel (India's first FFV bike)
- Maruti Wagon R Flex Fuel (India's first FFV car)
- More models from Tata, Hyundai, Toyota expected by 2027
🌎 Global Inspiration: Brazil's Success Story
The Minister noted that Brazil has demonstrated the long-term viability of higher ethanol blends over decades, with over 80% of its light vehicle fleet currently operating on flex-fuel technology. India is following this proven path.