Mumbai: E85 petrol has begun reaching fuel stations in Mumbai following its introduction in New Delhi, marking a significant step in the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme. The fuel is priced at ₹91.18 per litre in Mumbai, while the Delhi price stands at ₹82.12 per litre. In comparison, E20 petrol currently available in Mumbai costs ₹111.21 per litre, making E85 cheaper by ₹20.03 per litre.
The rollout follows the Centre’s announcement that 500 ethanol fuel distribution outlets would be established across the country by December this year. The government plans to expand the network to 5,000 stations by 2027. The first phase covers Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, with Kochi, Chennai and Bengaluru expected to be included in subsequent stages.
E85 is a fuel blend containing 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol, significantly higher than the 20 per cent ethanol content in E20 fuel currently sold in India. The fuel is not compatible with conventional vehicles and can only be used in specially designed flex-fuel engines, according to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.
At present, only a limited number of vehicles in India are capable of running on E85 fuel, including the Hero Splendor+, Hero HF Deluxe motorcycles and the recently launched Maruti Wagon R Bioflex. Because ethanol has lower energy density than conventional petrol, vehicles operating on E85 may experience a reduction in mileage.
The expansion of ethanol-based fuel infrastructure forms part of the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on fuel imports and improve income opportunities for farmers. At the same time, concerns remain over vehicle performance, with reports that many vehicles manufactured before 2023 experience mileage changes and engine or valve-related issues even while operating on E20 fuel.