Story perspectives

Gadkari Approves 100% Ethanol Fuel, Triggers Auto Launches

6/14/2026

32 8

Summary

Story summary

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari approved legal recognition for 100 % ethanol fuel by signing the rule-making file at 8 PM on Saturday.
He said the measure will cut India’s fossil-fuel import bill by Rs 22 lakh crore, highlighting Maruti Suzuki’s WagonR flex-fuel car.
He announced Toyota, Suzuki and Hyundai will launch fully ethanol-powered vehicles within two months.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended the Maruti Suzuki flex-fuel launch on June 4.

History

Historical Context

Brazil’s 2003 launch of the Volkswagen Gol Total Flex, the first car to run on any gasoline-ethanol blend, sparked flex-fuel adoption; 49,264 flex vehicles were produced that year and the segment hit 94 % of new car sales by 2009. The mandatory E20-E25 blend, in force since 2003, cut oil imports. India’s June 2024 approval of 100 % ethanol fuel cites this Brazilian model to reshape its energy market.

1 of 2

Story summary

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari approved legal recognition for 100 % ethanol fuel by signing the rule-making file at 8 PM on Saturday.
He said the measure will cut India’s fossil-fuel import bill by Rs 22 lakh crore, highlighting Maruti Suzuki’s WagonR flex-fuel car.
He announced Toyota, Suzuki and Hyundai will launch fully ethanol-powered vehicles within two months.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended the Maruti Suzuki flex-fuel launch on June 4.

1 / 2