Mumbai has joined Delhi in the list of cities offering E85 fuel. Ethanol-based fuel is now available in the city at Rs 91.18 per litre, making it almost Rs 9 cheaper than Delhi, where E85 is being sold at a lower price. E85 is a fuel blend that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The focus is on fuel-efficient vehicles designed to run on more ethanol. This oil is also much cheaper than the E20 oil currently sold in the country. In Mumbai, E20 fuel is priced at Rs 111.33 per litre, which means motorists who use compatible vehicles can save more than Rs 20 per liter by choosing E85. The release of E85 is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce crude oil imports, support domestic ethanol production and lower pipeline emissions. Ethanol is produced primarily from agricultural products such as sugarcane and corn, making it a renewable alternative to conventional fuels.However, the biggest problem is related to traffic. Currently, only a few models sold in India can run on E85. Maruti Suzuki It recently launched the WagonR Bioflex, making it the country’s first fuel-efficient vehicle. Priced at Rs 7.24 lakh, ex-showroom, the hatchback is powered by a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder K12N petrol engine capable of running on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp has introduced Splendor + Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. All motorcycles can run on E85 fuel. Suzuki also sells the fuel-efficient Gixxer SF 250 in India.
