Maruti Suzuki India Limited has introduced India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to diversify transportation fuels, strengthen energy security, and reduce dependence on imported crude oil. The launch was held in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on the eve of World Environment Day.
The company has introduced flex-fuel technology in the WagonR, one of India’s most popular and widely trusted passenger car brands. The vehicle has been engineered to operate on a wide range of ethanol-petrol blends, from E20 to E100, providing consumers with greater fuel flexibility while supporting the government’s long-term clean energy roadmap.
Flex-fuel vehicles are considered an important component of India’s transition toward alternative energy solutions. By increasing the use of domestically produced ethanol, the technology has the potential to reduce fossil fuel imports, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create new economic opportunities for the agricultural sector through expanded demand for ethanol feedstock.
Speaking at the launch, Nitin Gadkari highlighted the strategic role of ethanol in reducing India’s reliance on imported petroleum products. He noted that wider adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could strengthen rural economies while contributing to environmental sustainability and energy independence.
Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized the rapid progress of India’s ethanol programme and its role in transforming farmers into contributors to the nation’s energy ecosystem. He stated that flex-fuel mobility represents a practical pathway toward cleaner transportation while simultaneously supporting economic growth and energy security.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said the company remains committed to offering multiple technology pathways to address evolving mobility needs. Alongside battery electric vehicles, hybrid technologies, CNG solutions, and biofuel-based mobility, flex-fuel vehicles will play an important role in supporting India’s sustainability ambitions.
He added that while the ethanol ecosystem is still developing, early adoption of flex-fuel technology can help accelerate infrastructure growth and encourage broader industry participation. As ethanol availability expands across the country, flex-fuel vehicles are expected to provide consumers with a practical and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional fuel options.
With this launch, Maruti Suzuki becomes the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in India to introduce a commercially available flex-fuel car, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, sustainable mobility, and the national vision of a cleaner and more self-reliant transportation future.Maruti Suzuki India Limited is India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer and a leading player in the country’s automotive industry. A subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, the company has played a pivotal role in shaping personal mobility in India for over four decades.
With a diverse portfolio spanning hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and multi-purpose vehicles, Maruti Suzuki commands a significant share of the domestic passenger vehicle market. The company operates advanced manufacturing facilities in Haryana and Gujarat and maintains one of the country’s largest sales and service networks. Alongside strengthening its presence in traditional vehicle segments, Maruti Suzuki is expanding its focus on green mobility through hybrid, CNG, and electric vehicle technologies, while also increasing exports to global markets as part of its long-term growth strategy.
