A real-world fuel-efficiency comparison conducted on Suzuki’s Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) has highlighted the trade-off between lower fuel prices and reduced energy density as India expands the rollout of E85 fuel.
The test comes shortly after the introduction of E85 petrol—containing 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol—at select fuel stations. In Delhi, E85 is currently priced at Rs 82.12 per litre, around Rs 20 lower than E20 petrol, which remains the standard fuel available nationwide.
However, ethanol contains less energy per litre than petrol. While E20 offers an energy content of roughly 30.5 MJ/litre, E85 falls to about 23.5–24 MJ/litre, raising questions about its impact on real-world fuel economy.
Testing Methodology
To evaluate the difference, a Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV was tested using both fuels under controlled real-world conditions.
The motorcycle's fuel tank was completely drained before each test run to eliminate any residual fuel. Tyre pressures were set to manufacturer-recommended levels, and the bike was ridden over an identical 80km route in Delhi designed to replicate a mix of open roads and urban traffic conditions.
The route was completed at an average speed of approximately 29kph, with testing conducted on consecutive days under comparable traffic and weather conditions. Fuel consumption was measured using a brim-to-brim method from the same fuel dispensers.
E85 Records 28.81kpl
During the first run using E85 fuel, the Gixxer SF 250 required 2.79 litres to refill the tank after completing the route. This translated to a fuel efficiency figure of 28.81kpl.
Following the completion of the E85 test, the motorcycle was drained again and run until all remaining fuel in the system was consumed before being refuelled with E20 petrol.
E20 Returns 38.1kpl
Repeating the same test cycle with E20 yielded a substantially higher efficiency figure.
After covering the same 80km distance, the motorcycle required 1.93 litres of fuel to refill the tank, resulting in an observed fuel economy of 38.1kpl.
Efficiency Gap Exceeds Fuel Price Advantage
The test recorded a 24.4 per cent reduction in fuel efficiency when running on E85 compared with E20.
While E85 is currently priced 19.58 per cent lower than E20 in Delhi, the reduced fuel economy exceeded the savings at the pump.
Based on prevailing fuel prices, operating the motorcycle on E20 cost approximately Rs 2.68 per kilometre, compared with Rs 2.85 per kilometre on E85.
Over a distance of 10,000km, the difference translates to an additional fuel expenditure of around Rs 1,711 when using E85.
Vehicle Cost Premium Adds To Ownership Economics
The economics are further influenced by the purchase cost of flex-fuel vehicles themselves.
The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV is priced at Rs 1.98 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), compared with Rs 1.89 lakh for the standard E20-compatible version, representing a price premium of nearly 5 per cent.
Similar pricing differentials are also visible in recently launched flex-fuel motorcycles introduced by Hero MotoCorp.
Infrastructure Expansion Underway
The government is simultaneously working to expand E85 and E100 fuel availability across the country.
According to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the initial rollout includes 50–100 E85/E100 dispensing stations across Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai-Pune-Nagpur corridor. The number is expected to increase to around 500 stations by December 2026 and approximately 5,000 stations across major cities by the end of 2027.
Outlook
The findings suggest that while E85 offers a lower retail fuel price, its lower energy density results in a significant reduction in fuel efficiency. Under the current pricing structure, the fuel's cost advantage does not fully compensate for the increase in consumption, leading to slightly higher running costs for the tested motorcycle.
As flex-fuel vehicle availability and ethanol-fuel infrastructure continue to expand, future pricing strategies are likely to play a key role in determining consumer adoption.