India launches E85 high‑ethanol fuel at first Delhi station

India’s petroleum ministry inaugurated the country’s first E85 fuel dispensing station on Delhi’s Pusa Road. The station, opened by Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, sells E85 at ₹82.12 per litre, roughly ₹20 cheaper than the standard E20 petrol sold locally.

E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol and can only be used in flex‑fuel vehicles designed or calibrated for high‑ethanol mixes. Existing and upcoming flex‑fuel models include the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R flex‑fuel version, Hero Splendor +, Hero HF Deluxe, and Suzuki Gixxer SF FFV. The government plans to add 50‑100 stations in the Delhi‑NCR and Mumbai‑Pune‑Nagpur corridor, expand to about 500 outlets by year‑end, and reach roughly 5,000 stations nationwide by 2027. The policy aims to cut crude‑oil imports, lower fuel costs for consumers, and boost India’s energy security.