Maruti Suzuki has said flex-fuel vehicles could play a key role in reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, while also lowering emissions, as the country looks to strengthen energy security and diversify fuel sources, according to a Moneycontrol report.
Speaking at the launch of the company’s first flex-fuel vehicle, managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the technology directly aligns with India’s twin goals of cutting oil imports and reducing carbon emissions. “Flex-fuel meets both. It is truly Atmanirbhar and clean,” he said, referring to the government’s focus on self-reliance.
Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on varying blends of petrol and ethanol, including high ethanol mixes. The use of locally produced ethanol — derived from agricultural sources such as sugarcane and grains — can help offset reliance on imported fossil fuels, which currently make up a large share of India’s energy needs.
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Takeuchi noted that long-term dependence on crude oil imports is not sustainable for India and emphasised the need for “cleaner, affordable and scalable” alternatives. He added that flex-fuel technology could deliver benefits beyond the automotive sector by supporting farmers, ethanol producers and the broader rural economy.
However, he cautioned that widespread adoption will require coordinated efforts across multiple stakeholders. This includes creating adequate fuel availability, expanding ethanol production, introducing more vehicle models and improving consumer awareness. Pricing of both vehicles and fuel will also be critical to driving demand.
“An entire ecosystem needs to be developed — from fuel availability to more model launches, from customer awareness to fuel and vehicle pricing,” Takeuchi said, highlighting the challenges in scaling the technology.
The push for flex-fuel vehicles comes as India accelerates its ethanol blending programme.
The country has already achieved a 20% blending target ahead of schedule, and policymakers are exploring further expansion as part of a broader energy transition strategy.
Maruti Suzuki’s move is part of a wider multi-technology approach in the auto industry, where companies are investing in electric vehicles, hybrids, compressed natural gas and alternative fuels simultaneously.
For the company, flex-fuel vehicles represent a near-term solution that can complement longer-term electrification, particularly in a price-sensitive market where infrastructure for EVs is still evolving.
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