India’s automakers line up E100-capable flex-fuel vehicle launches for 2026

Several Indian automakers plan to roll out flex-fuel cars and two-wheelers in 2026 that can run on up to 100% ethanol, building on models such as Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R and Hero’s HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. Regulators have moved to support the shift by adding E100 to vehicle testing and certification standards, aiming to boost energy security and farmer incomes. Industry executives say adoption will hinge on fuel pricing and a wider refuelling network, as ethanol’s lower energy density and a roughly 20% E85-to-E20 price gap fall short of the 30% threshold often cited as necessary to offset mileage loss.