Launch of Hero MotoCorp’s First Flex-Fuel Motorcycles

Why in News?

Hero MotoCorp has launched India’s first mass-market flex-fuel motorcycles — Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel — compatible with ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85.

About Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)

• Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) are vehicles with an internal combustion engine capable of operating on petrol and varying blends of ethanol.
• They use a single fuel system similar to conventional petrol vehicles.
• Sensors automatically detect the ethanol-petrol ratio and adjust engine performance accordingly.
• FFVs can run on petrol, ethanol blends, or a combination of both.

What is E85?

• E85 is a fuel blend containing up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.
• It has been identified as the mono-fuel standard for FFVs under Bureau of Indian Standards specifications.

Benefits of Flex-Fuel Vehicles

• Reduces dependence on imported crude oil.
• Supports farmers through increased demand for ethanol feedstock such as sugarcane and maize.
• Lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
• Requires minimal additional fuel infrastructure.
• Faster rollout compared to EV charging networks.
• Promotes energy security and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

India’s Ethanol Blending Programme

Since Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2014-15, the programme has:

• Saved about ₹1.84 lakh crore in foreign exchange.
• Substituted 302 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil.
• Reduced 909 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

NITI Aayog’s PositionNITI Aayog has classified ethanol-based Flex-Fuel Vehicles, including E85 vehicles, as zero-emission vehicles at the tailpipe level.

Source: PIB