Flex Fuel To Remain A Key Pillar Of Honda 2Ws' Multi-Pathway Strategy: Krishnakumar

Flex fuel will continue to play a key role in Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s (HMSI) long-term mobility strategy, with the company positioning ethanol-compatible vehicles alongside electric mobility and conventional internal combustion engines as part of its multi-pathway approach.

Speaking at the HMSI 2026 event, Krishnakumar, General Manager, Product Planning, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said the company believes the future of mobility will be “multi-fuel, multi-pathway”, with different technologies catering to different customer needs and operating conditions.

“The future of mobility is multi-fuel, multi-pathway, and electric is one important part of that future,” he said while outlining Honda’s product strategy.

Highlighting the company’s flex-fuel roadmap, Krishnakumar showcased the ADV 160, an E85-compatible scooter capable of operating on any ethanol blend from E0 to E85. He said the system automatically adapts to the fuel blend, allowing the engine to optimise performance without any rider intervention.

According to Honda, its flex-fuel journey began in 2009 with the introduction of the CG Titan Mix in Brazil, which the company describes as the world’s first production flex-fuel motorcycle. The experience gained from that programme has now been extended to products such as the ADV 160.

Powered by a 156.9 cc, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine producing 12 kW of power and 14.9 Nm of torque, the ADV 160 combines everyday practicality with Honda’s proven flex-fuel technology. Honda said the scooter delivers motorcycle-like performance with the convenience of a scooter while remaining compatible with fuel blends ranging from E0 to E85.

The ADV 160 also features a long wheelbase, an upright riding posture, generous storage capacity, 14-inch front wheels with block-pattern tyres, and a flexible step floor, enabling it to cater to both daily commuting and weekend touring.

Honda used the event to underline that flex fuel is not being positioned as an alternative to electrification but as a complementary technology within its broader portfolio. Alongside the ADV 160, the company showcased electric, roadster, cruiser, and adventure motorcycles, reinforcing its strategy of offering multiple powertrain solutions as customer requirements and infrastructure continue to evolve.

The remarks come as India’s ethanol blending programme gathers pace, with automakers and two-wheeler manufacturers increasingly evaluating flex-fuel technologies alongside battery-electric vehicles to support the country’s broader decarbonisation objectives.