India Plans 500 Flex-Fuel Pumps This Year, 5,000 by 2027-End

As automakers start to launch flex-fuel vehicles, India is targeting to set up 500 flex-fuel retail pumps by the end of this year and further expand to around 5,000 outlets across major cities by the end of 2027, according to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The focus on the flex-fuel retail network comes as the government steps up efforts to promote ethanol-based mobility to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Speaking at an event organised by Maruti Suzuki to launch the country's first flex-fuel passenger vehicle, the Wagon R Flex Fuel, Puri said the rollout of compatible vehicles by leading automakers would help create demand for higher ethanol blends and support the government's energy transition goals.

"In the beginning, we will have over 50 to 100 dispensing stations in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. These will expand to 500 by December this year and approximately 5,000 outlets across major cities by the end of next year," Puri said.

The announcement comes a day after Hero MotoCorp entered the flex-fuel segment with the launch of flex-fuel versions of its Splendor and HF Deluxe motorcycles, capable of operating on petrol blended with 20% to 85% ethanol. The company plans to begin sales of its flex-fuel models in July and gradually introduce the technology across its portfolio.

Puri said the entry of India's largest passenger vehicle maker and largest two-wheeler manufacturer into the flex-fuel segment marks a turning point for ethanol adoption in the transport sector.

India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol ahead of its original target and is now looking to create additional demand for biofuels through flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on petrol as well as ethanol blends such as E85.

The minister said widespread adoption of flex-fuel vehicles could significantly boost ethanol consumption while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

According to government estimates, if half of all new two-wheeler and passenger vehicle sales eventually shift to flex-fuel technology, it could generate demand for more than 300 crore litres of additional ethanol, raise farm incomes and reduce carbon emissions.

The infrastructure expansion plan also follows the government's move to promote E85 fuel, which Puri said earlier this week would be priced "significantly below" regular petrol to encourage consumer adoption.

Puri said India had initially struggled to build a flex-fuel ecosystem because fuel dispensing infrastructure existed but vehicle availability remained limited. With major automakers now bringing flex-fuel products to market, he said the balance between fuel supply and demand was beginning to fall into place.

He described the rollout as the start of a "new chapter" in India's energy transition, combining cleaner mobility with greater energy security and higher returns for the agricultural sector.