Upcoming Flex Fuel Cars in India Which You Need to Know About

India's flex fuel journey has moved beyond prototypes. Maruti Suzuki's Wagon R became the country's first production flex fuel car in June 2026. At the same time, E85 fuel was launched at 48 retail outlets across India, giving compatible vehicles access to a much higher ethanol blend.

The upcoming flex fuel cars in India will take this technology further, with models from Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai and Tata Motors already showcased or under development. This list covers six such cars, including the Wagon R Flex Fuel, Fronx, Corolla, Innova Hycross, Creta and Punch. We will also explain what flex fuel means, where E85 is available and why higher ethanol content can affect mileage.

What Is a Flex Fuel Vehicle? E20 vs E85 vs E100 Explained

A flex fuel vehicle or FFV, is designed to run on different petrol and ethanol blends without requiring the driver to select the fuel type manually. It gets changes to components such as the fuel system, injectors, fuel lines, ECU calibration and ethanol sensors. These help the engine adjust to different ethanol levels. A standard petrol car, on the other hand, is designed for its approved fuel blend and should not be filled with E85.

E20 means petrol containing 20% ethanol and is the current nationwide base blend. E85 contains about 80-85% ethanol and 14-19% petrol. E100 refers to pure ethanol. Some ethanol cars showcased in India are designed to handle E100, while others are currently specified for E85.

Want to understand how flex fuel technology works and its benefits? Read our detailed guide to flex fuel cars in India.

Flex Fuel Cars in India: Full List of Upcoming and, Showcased Models

Here are the six flex fuel cars covered in this article. Their status is important because most of them are still prototypes or technology showcases, rather than cars you can buy today.

Model	Status as of 2026	Ethanol Compatibility	Engine
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel	Production / Available	E20 to E100, homologated for E85	1.2-litre petrol
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Flex Fuel	Concept	Up to E85	1.2-litre petrol
Toyota Corolla Flex Fuel	Technology showcase	E100	1.8-litre petrol hybrid
Toyota Innova Hycross Flex Fuel	Prototype	Higher ethanol blends, E100 capable	2.0-litre petrol hybrid
Hyundai Creta Flex Fuel	Prototype / Showcase	E100	1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Tata Punch Flex Fuel	Concept / Development	Up to E85	1.2-litre petrol

Model-by-Model Details

1. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel

The Wagon R Flex Fuel is India's first production flex fuel passenger car. Maruti Suzuki unveiled its production-spec version on June 4, 2026 and priced it at Rs. 7.24 lakh ex-showroom. This WagonR Bioflex marks as the first ethanol car model getting its deliveries as soon as June 2026. For effective use of blended petrol, the model gets upgraded equipment like injectors, pumps, ECU and an ethanol sensor.

Mechanical Specifications:

Parameter	Details
Engine	1.2-litre petrol
Power	89.75 bhp
Torque	114 Nm
Transmission	5-speed Manual / 5-speed AMT
Ethanol Compatibility	E20 to E100 capable, E85 homologated
Mileage	Not officially disclosed

For more details on Maruti Suzuki’s flex-fuel car, including its launch, specifications and ethanol compatibility, explore our detailed guide.

2. Maruti Suzuki Fronx Flex Fuel

The Fronx Flex Fuel was showcased by Maruti Suzuki at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. It uses a modified version of the Fronx's 1.2-litre petrol engine and is designed to work with ethanol blends up to E85.

The concept largely retains the standard Fronx design, with flex fuel badging being one of the noticeable changes. Maruti has not yet announced the final specifications or launch date. However, it is one of the more likely upcoming flex fuel models from the company after the Wagon R.

3. Toyota Corolla Flex Fuel

Toyota brought its first flex fuel hybrid car in India via Corolla Flex fuel, but as a technology demonstration. As a hybrid vehicle, the model gets a combination of 1.8 litre petrol engine with electric motor while it could be running on a complete E100 blend! The car was imported from Brazil for testing and demonstration, rather than developed as a confirmed India-spec production model.

Mechanical Specifications:

Parameter	Details
Engine	1.8-litre petrol hybrid
Petrol Engine Power	102 hp
Petrol Engine Torque	142 Nm
Electric Motor Power	73 hp
Electric Motor Torque	163 Nm
Transmission	Hybrid e-CVT
Ethanol Compatibility	E100
Mileage	Not officially disclosed

4. Toyota Innova Hycross Flex Fuel

Toyota showcased the Innova Hycross Flex Fuel prototype in 2023. It combines the standard model's 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a strong hybrid system. And to handle these mix proportions, Toyota made several changes to the engine and fuel system. These include revised spark plugs, piston rings, valves, fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel lines. An ethanol sensor was also added. The prototype still needs further testing, calibration and certification and up to now, Toyota has not announced a production launch timeline.

5. Hyundai Creta Flex Fuel

Hyundai showcased the Creta Flex Fuel at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Unlike the regular India-spec Creta, this version uses a smaller 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. It has been modified to run on different ethanol blends, including pure E100 ethanol.

Mechanical Specifications:

Parameter	Details
Engine	1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Power	120 PS
Torque	172 Nm
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Ethanol Compatibility	E100
Mileage	Not officially disclosed

Hyundai has not confirmed a launch date for this ethanol car version in India, so its current status remains a showcase rather than a confirmed production model.

6. Tata Punch Flex Fuel

Tata Motors showcased the Punch Flex Fuel at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The displayed model used the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, but received changes to the ECU, fuel injection system and exhaust after-treatment system. It was designed to operate on ethanol blends of up to E85.

Tata Motors has since said that it could have its first flex fuel passenger vehicle ready by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The Punch is the most likely candidate based on its earlier showcase, although Tata has not officially confirmed the production model.

Mechanical Specifications:

Parameter	Details
Engine	1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol
Power	Around 86 bhp*
Torque	115 Nm*
Transmission	5-speed Manual / 5-speed AMT*
Ethanol Compatibility	E85/E100*
Mileage	Not officially disclosed

*Note: These specifications are based on the Tata Punch, uptill the official launch.

For more details on Tata’s flex-fuel plans, including its expected launch timeline and what to expect from the upcoming model, check out the Tata Motors Flex Fuel Vehicle launch guide.

E85 Fuel Rollout in India: Availability, Pricing and Timeline

E85 fuel was launched in India on June 5, 2026, on the World Environment Day. The rollout started across 48 retail outlets operated by public-sector oil marketing companies. The initial network focuses on areas including Delhi NCR and the Mumbai-Pune-Nagpur corridor. 

For pricing, E85 costs nearly Rs. 20 per litre less than conventional E20 petrol. For example, it was priced at Rs. 82.12 per litre in Delhi when launched. If you ask about E20, it will be retailed at the exact same price of the regular petrol.

The government plans to expand the network to around 500 outlets by December 2026 and about 5000 outlets as soon as December 2027. However, E85 is meant only for specially designed and certified flex fuel vehicles. It should not be used in regular petrol cars.

Does Running on E85 Reduce Mileage? What Buyers Should Know

Yes, running on E85 can reduce mileage because ethanol contains less energy than petrol. To put that in figures, E85 has roughly 27% less energy per gallon than petrol in typical blends. Also worth noting is that actual mileage difference depends on the vehicle and how the engine has been calibrated.

Simply, a lower price per litre does not automatically mean a lower cost per kilometre. Blended petrol are more affordable than conventional petrol where overall cost would more or less be the same. This is because less mileage means more fuel per kilometer, which would balance out fuel affordability.

Why Is India Pushing Flex Fuel Cars?

India is promoting flex fuel vehicles to reduce its dependence on imported crude oil and increase the use of domestically produced ethanol. The move also supports farmers and can help reduce vehicle-related emissions.

• Higher ethanol usage can reduce India's dependence on imported petrol and crude oil.
• Ethanol can be produced from crops such as sugarcane and maize, creating an additional market for agricultural produce.
• The government says vehicles operating on E85 blend can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61% compared with petrol.
• Flex fuel cars can run on different mixtures of petrol and ethanol, making them suitable as India gradually expands beyond E20.

When Will Flex Fuel Cars Be Available to Buy in India?

As of 2026, the Wagon R is the only model among these six to reach production and deliveries. The Fronx, Corolla, Innova Hycross and Creta remain showcased or prototype models, while Tata's Punch is still under development.

Tata has given the clearest upcoming timeline, saying its first flex fuel passenger vehicle could be ready by the end of 2026 or early 2027. However, a showcased model and a launched model are not the same thing. Buyers should wait for official launch confirmation, pricing and homologation before planning a purchase.

Conclusion

India's flex fuel push is now moving on two fronts. A tussle can be seen where carmakers are developing vehicles that can handle higher ethanol blends, while the government is expanding E85 fuel availability. The Wagon R has already reached production but most other models are still in the developmental phase. Fronx, Corolla, Innova Hycross, Creta and Punch show that flex fuel technology is gaining attention across different car segments.

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FAQ about Flex Fuel Cars in India

Are there any issues with E20 petrol in India?
Some owners have raised concerns about lower mileage, performance and compatibility with older vehicles. Recent fuel contamination concerns have also triggered industry discussions.

Is pure petrol completely out of the picture in India?
No. Ethanol-free premium petrol remains available, while the government currently has no plan to reintroduce E0 or E10 as regular petrol.

Will petrol cars be replaced by flex-fuel cars in India?
No. Flex-fuel cars will offer another fuel option, while regular petrol cars will continue using approved petrol blends such as E20.

Can flex-fuel cars run on normal petrol?
Yes. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on different petrol-ethanol blends, allowing them to use petrol with lower ethanol content as well.

Is E85 cheaper to run than E20 petrol?
E85 costs less per litre, but its lower energy content can reduce mileage. Therefore, savings per kilometre may be lower than expected.