India launched E85 high-ethanol fuel for flex-fuel vehicles on Friday to promote cleaner transportation and reduce carbon emissions [1, 2].
The rollout marks a significant step in India's green-energy push, aiming to lower the country's reliance on traditional fossil fuels while supporting the adoption of flex-fuel vehicle technology.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri led the launch ceremony in New Delhi on June 5, 2026, coinciding with World Environment Day [1, 2, 5]. The fuel is currently available at 48 public-sector outlets across the country [1, 4].
To encourage consumers to switch to the cleaner alternative, the government has priced E85 at ₹20 lower than standard petrol [2]. This price advantage is intended to make the transition to high-ethanol blends more economically viable for vehicle owners.
Government officials have outlined aggressive expansion plans for the fuel's availability. While some reports indicate an increase to 500 outlets [4], other targets suggest the government aims to establish 5,000 outlets by December 2027 [2].
E85 fuel is specifically designed for flex-fuel vehicles, which can operate on varying blends of gasoline and ethanol. The initiative seeks to leverage India's agricultural capacity to produce ethanol, reducing the environmental impact of the transport sector, and lowering fuel costs for the public [1].
“The fuel is currently available at 48 public-sector outlets across the country.”
The introduction of E85 signals a strategic shift toward bio-fuel integration to meet climate goals and reduce oil import dependency. However, the success of the initiative depends on the rapid manufacturing of flex-fuel engines, as E85 is not compatible with all existing vehicles.
