𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅-𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶 𝗦𝘂𝘇𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗥 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹

Maruti Suzuki launched its first flex-fuel car, the Wagon R, in India on Thursday. The company says the move supports national goals to cut crude oil imports and lower carbon emissions.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, spoke at the launch event. He said flex-fuel technology helps farmers, ethanol producers, and rural economies.

A flex-fuel vehicle runs on multiple fuel blends. Key details include:

  • It uses petrol mixed with ethanol or methanol
  • The car operates on blends from E20 up to E100
  • Drivers fill up with standard petrol or high-ethanol fuel based on what is available

Takeuchi said India faces a critical choice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for lower fuel use and less import dependence. The nation also aims for self-reliance and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Takeuchi said long-term crude oil imports are not viable. He said flex-fuel supports both import cuts and emission reductions.

Mass adoption needs more work. Stakeholders must build fuel availability, set pricing, add infrastructure, and raise customer awareness. Takeuchi asked oil marketing firms and ethanol producers to take part.

Maruti Suzuki plans to use many technologies. These include electric vehicles, strong hybrids, CNG, and compressed biogas.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also spoke at the event. He said India aims to shift from an energy-importing nation to an energy exporter. He cited gains in ethanol, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Gadkari said India spends about Rs 22 lakh crore each year on fuel imports. He called clean energy adoption essential to cut costs and pollution. He noted corn-based ethanol has raised farmer incomes. Hydrogen and green mobility projects are growing on select highway routes.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India is opening 50 to 100 ethanol fuel stations in major cities. The target is 500 stations by 2026 and 5,000 by 2027.

Ethanol blending has hit 20 percent. This has reduced crude imports, saved foreign exchange, and lifted rural incomes.

Officials said the flex-fuel and biofuel push aims to strengthen energy security, support farm value chains, and cut emissions.