Overview
- MotorBeam reported the first E85 dispenser installed in Mumbai offering fuel at Rs 91.18 per litre, which is cheaper on a per‑litre basis than local E20 petrol.
- E85 is a blend of roughly 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol and must be sold from dedicated dispensers to avoid accidental refuelling of incompatible vehicles.
- Only specially engineered flex‑fuel vehicles can run on E85 because they need corrosion‑resistant fuel systems and engine management that senses high ethanol blends, and the number of such vehicles in India is currently small.
- A real‑world mileage test of a Suzuki Gixxer SF flex‑fuel bike showed about a 43 percent drop in fuel efficiency on E85 versus E20, which made per‑kilometre running costs higher despite the lower pump price.
- Authorities have signalled plans for a phased expansion with hundreds of E85 outlets planned by the end of 2026 and a much larger network in 2027, but wider adoption will hinge on more compatible vehicles, clear safety labeling, and consumer acceptance built on cost and performance evidence.