Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that a car running entirely on ethanol could bring fuel costs down to the equivalent of around ₹25 per litre, as the government intensifies its push for alternative fuels. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Gadkari pointed to an upcoming vehicle launch as evidence that ethanol-only mobility is no longer a distant prospect.

Toyota Innova Flex-Fuel Launch in October

Toyota's 100 per cent ethanol-powered Innova is set to be launched in October, according to Gadkari, who said he has been invited to the event. The vehicle is designed to operate entirely on ethanol rather than conventional petrol, eliminating the need for any petrol blending.

Gadkari claimed the vehicle's running cost would be comparable to that of a petrol-powered car fuelled at around ₹25 per litre — significantly below current petrol prices in most Indian cities. He also said the vehicle would generate 60 per cent electricity while running, though no additional technical details were provided at the event.

What Gadkari Said

'Ethanol is being used in 19 countries in the world and today no complaint is coming from any vehicle in India. In October, I have been invited for the launch of Toyota's Innova car that will run on 100 per cent flex fuel,' Gadkari said.

The minister added that no complaints had been received from vehicles using ethanol-blended fuel in India, reinforcing the government's position that the blending programme has been operationally sound.

Context: India's E20 Blending Policy Under Scrutiny

The announcement comes as India's E20 ethanol blending policy — under which petrol is blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol — faces growing questions from sections of the public and lawmakers. Concerns have been raised about its possible impact on vehicle mileage, engine performance, and long-term maintenance costs.

The government has maintained that it has not received widespread or confirmed complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations, or consumer groups regarding E20's effects. It has cited laboratory studies and field trials assessing engine durability and material compatibility in support of the programme.

Flex-Fuel Momentum Builds Among Automakers

Toyota's proposed ethanol-only Innova is the latest in a growing series of flex-fuel vehicle launches in India. In June, Maruti Suzuki launched what was described as the country's first flex-fuel passenger car. Such vehicles are engineered to operate on a range of ethanol-petrol blends — from E20 to pure ethanol — adapting to varying fuel compositions based on regional availability.

As India seeks to reduce its dependence on imported crude oil and lower emissions, the rollout of flex-fuel and ethanol-only vehicles is expected to gain further policy support in the months ahead.