In a major boost to India's clean mobility push, Hero MotoCorp has launched the country's first mass-market flex-fuel motorcycles. The new Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel can run on petrol blended with up to 85 per cent ethanol, offering a greener alternative to conventional fuel-powered two-wheelers.
The launch comes ahead of World Environment Day and marks a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and cutting India's dependence on imported crude oil.
Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel And HF Deluxe Flex Fuel Launched
Hero MotoCorp announced that the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel has been priced at Rs 72,792 (ex-showroom Delhi), while the Splendor+ Flex Fuel carries a price tag of Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom Delhi).
The company said the motorcycles will first be introduced in Delhi and selected regions of Maharashtra from July 2026. A nationwide rollout is expected to follow soon after.
According to Hero MotoCorp, the new motorcycles are designed to provide practical and affordable mobility while supporting cleaner fuel adoption.
What Is A Flex-Fuel Motorcycle?
A flex-fuel vehicle is capable of running on varying blends of petrol and ethanol.
The newly launched motorcycles can operate using fuel blends containing up to 85 per cent ethanol, commonly known as E85 fuel.
Ethanol is a biofuel produced from agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane, corn and rice. Since it is derived from renewable sources, it is considered a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
The technology allows riders to continue using petrol while benefiting from higher ethanol blends whenever available.
Why Is Ethanol Fuel Important For India?
India has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending as part of its strategy to reduce fuel imports and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The country has already achieved a 20 per cent ethanol blending target in petrol, a milestone aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil.
Higher ethanol usage can also create additional demand for agricultural produce, potentially benefiting farmers and supporting the rural economy.
Hero MotoCorp stated that the new motorcycles will help reduce the environmental impact of daily commuting while contributing to India's target of lowering economic carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030.
Nitin Gadkari Hails The Launch
The flex-fuel motorcycles were unveiled in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Speaking at the event, Gadkari said India is making rapid progress in adopting alternative fuels and cleaner transportation technologies.
He described the launch as an important step towards reducing crude oil imports, encouraging ethanol use and supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Cleaner Mobility And Energy Security
Puri highlighted the importance of developing a future-ready mobility ecosystem powered by cleaner and domestically produced fuels.
According to him, the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles strengthens India's efforts to improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions and decrease reliance on imported fuel.
The move aligns with the government's broader strategy of diversifying the country's energy mix and promoting sustainable transport solutions.
Hero MotoCorp's Sustainability Push
Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale said the launch reflects the company's commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.
He noted that introducing flex-fuel versions of two of India's most popular commuter motorcycles represents another important milestone in making cleaner transportation accessible to a wider audience.
The company believes the technology can play a key role in India's transition towards environmentally friendly mobility.
Government Plans To Expand Alternative Fuel Usage
The launch comes as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways considers amendments to vehicle emission regulations.
The proposed changes would allow broader adoption of fuels such as E85, E100 ethanol, B100 biodiesel and hydrogen-CNG blends across different vehicle categories.
If implemented, the new rules could accelerate the development of flex-fuel and biofuel-powered vehicles in India.
What This Means For Indian Riders
For consumers, flex-fuel motorcycles offer the possibility of using cleaner fuel without making major changes to their daily commuting habits.
As ethanol infrastructure expands across the country, riders may benefit from greater fuel flexibility while contributing to lower emissions.
With the launch of the Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, Hero MotoCorp has positioned itself at the forefront of India's evolving green mobility landscape, bringing flex-fuel technology to the mass-market two-wheeler segment for the first time.
Inputs from agencies
