India advances flex-fuel transition with upcoming ethanol-powered Toyota launch

India is advancing its transition toward flex-fuel mobility, highlighted by the upcoming October launch of a Toyota Innova capable of running on 100% ethanol (E100). Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari noted that the vehicle is expected to have running costs comparable to petrol-powered cars, provided fuel is priced at approximately Rs 25 per litre.

To support this transition, the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) and IIT Delhi have released a white paper titled “Flex-Fuel Vehicles: Enabling Energy Security and Sustainable Mobility in India.” The document provides a 10-point roadmap to move the country from E20 blends toward higher concentrations like E85 and E100. It addresses technical requirements such as vehicle durability, engine design, and the scaling of retail infrastructure.

The shift toward ethanol aims to reduce India's economic exposure to international crude oil price fluctuations by utilizing domestically produced renewable fuel from agricultural feedstocks like sugarcane and maize.