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Maruti Wagon R Flex-Fuel may become India’s first E100 hatchback. The car is expected to support up to 100 percent ethanol fuel. Launch could happen on June 5, 2026.
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to introduce the Wagon R Flex-Fuel in India, and it could become the country’s first mass-market car capable of running on 100 percent ethanol fuel (E100). According to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the model is expected to launch on June 5, 2026, which also happens to be World Environment Day.
The upcoming Wagon R Flex-Fuel is part of India’s larger push towards cleaner and alternative fuel technologies. While flex-fuel technology has already entered the two-wheeler segment, this could be the first affordable mainstream hatchback to bring E100 compatibility to Indian roads.
What Is a Flex-Fuel Car?
A flex-fuel vehicle is designed to run on petrol as well as ethanol-blended fuel. In the case of the Wagon R Flex-Fuel, the hatchback is expected to support fuel blends ranging from regular petrol to pure ethanol (E100).
Ethanol is considered a cleaner fuel alternative because it produces lower emissions and reduces dependence on imported crude oil. The Indian government has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending over the last few years.
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Wagon R Flex-Fuel Already Showcased
Maruti Suzuki had earlier displayed the Wagon R Flex-Fuel at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi. The model looked largely similar to the standard Wagon R but featured flex-fuel-specific modifications under the skin.
The hatchback is expected to use a modified version of Maruti’s existing petrol engine with changes to support higher ethanol content. These changes generally include updates to the fuel system, engine tuning, and corrosion-resistant components.
Maruti Suzuki Says Technology Is Ready
During Maruti Suzuki’s recent quarterly earnings call, Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, confirmed that the company already has the required flex-fuel technology.
He mentioned that Maruti is ready to support the government’s ethanol plans whenever required. However, he also admitted that flex-fuel vehicles may initially see limited demand because E100 fuel availability is still low across India.
Also Read: Top 6 Tata EVs and SUVs Coming Between 2026-2027
Fuel Availability Still a Major Challenge
While India has already achieved E20 fuel blending in several regions, pure ethanol fuel is still not widely available at fuel stations. This remains one of the biggest hurdles for flex-fuel passenger vehicles.
The government is currently considering increasing ethanol blending further from E20 to E21, E22 and even E25 in the coming years.
Industry experts believe flex-fuel vehicles may take another five to ten years before becoming truly mainstream in India.
Wagon R Flex-Fuel Could Cost More
Reports suggest the flex-fuel version of the Wagon R could cost around Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 more than the regular petrol model because of the additional engineering required for ethanol compatibility.
Even with the higher cost, Maruti Suzuki could still position it as one of the most affordable flex-fuel cars in the country.
Why Wagon R Makes Sense for This Technology
The Wagon R has remained one of India’s highest-selling hatchbacks for years because of its practicality, fuel efficiency and affordable pricing. Using such a popular model for flex-fuel technology could help Maruti Suzuki understand market response before introducing the technology in more vehicles.
The company has already been exploring multiple cleaner fuel solutions including CNG, strong hybrid, bio-fuel and flex-fuel technologies.
Could This Be the Start of Ethanol Cars in India?
If launched next month, the Wagon R Flex-Fuel could become an important step towards alternative fuel adoption in India. While EVs continue to grow, flex-fuel vehicles may offer another practical solution, especially in regions where charging infrastructure is still developing.
For now, all eyes will be on Maruti Suzuki and whether the Wagon R Flex-Fuel officially arrives on June 5 as expected.
About Author
Konica Singh
Sub-Editor
Konica Singh is a passionate Automotive Journalist who brings the world of cars to life, from EV trends to exciting new car launches. Backed by 7 years in content creation, she is skilled in writing, editing, and SEO strategy that drives engagement.
Education: MA English (Delhi University)
Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Email: konica.carlelo@gmail.com
Location: New Delhi
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