India’s fuel revolution just got real and exciting. The government officially launched E85 fuel in Delhi on June 5, 2026, priced at just Rs 82.12 per litre, which is Rs 20 cheaper than regular E20 petrol. Moreover, Hero MotoCorp quickly joined the movement by launching India’s first mass-market E85 flex fuel bikes, the Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe, making this a landmark moment for every Indian two-wheeler commuter. Additionally, with rising Google search trends for keywords like “hero e85 bike,” “e85 fuel price,” and “flex fuel bike,” it is clear that Indian buyers are actively curious and ready to embrace this cleaner, more affordable alternative fuel. So, let us break down everything you need to know about E85 fuel and the exciting bikes that run on it.
Contents
- 1 What Is E85 Fuel and Why Is Everyone Talking About It
- 2 E85 Fuel Price in India: How Much Will You Actually Save
- 3 Hero E85 Bike Launch: Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel
- 4 Hero E85 Bike Engine and Performance: What Changes Under the Hood
- 5 E85 Fuel Availability in India: When Will It Reach Your City
- 6 Hero MotoCorp’s Big Flex Fuel Plan for All Its Models
- 7 Should You Buy a Hero E85 Flex Fuel Bike Right Now
- 8 FAQs
What Is E85 Fuel and Why Is Everyone Talking About It
Simply put, E85 fuel is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent petrol. Therefore, it is very different from the regular E20 petrol you currently fill at your local pump, which contains only 20 percent ethanol. Moreover, E85 is a much cleaner fuel that can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by around 61 percent compared to conventional petrol. Furthermore, because ethanol comes from sugarcane, maize, and other agricultural crops, E85 directly supports Indian farmers and reduces the country’s dependence on expensive crude oil imports. Consequently, the Indian government has been pushing E85 adoption as a key part of its national energy and sustainability strategy.
Additionally, India’s ethanol blending in petrol has already climbed impressively from just 1.53 percent in 2014 to 20 percent by 2025, achieving the E20 target five full years ahead of schedule. Therefore, the move to E85 is the next logical and ambitious step forward. Meanwhile, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the very first E85 dispensing station at Indian Oil’s Pusa Road outlet in New Delhi on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026. Consequently, E85 fuel is now commercially available for compatible vehicles, and the government plans to scale this up rapidly.
E85 Fuel Price in India: How Much Will You Actually Save
One of the biggest reasons behind the trending search for “e85 fuel price” is straightforward. E85 currently costs Rs 82.12 per litre in Delhi, while regular E20 petrol stands at Rs 102.12 per litre, and premium XP95 petrol costs Rs 109.24 per litre. Therefore, on paper, E85 gives you a saving of Rs 20 per litre over regular petrol. However, there is an important trade-off that every buyer must understand before switching.
Because ethanol has a lower energy density than petrol, E85 vehicles deliver roughly 25 to 35 percent lower fuel efficiency compared to an equivalent E20 vehicle. For example, a bike that gives 70 kmpl on regular petrol will likely return around 49 to 56 kmpl on E85. So, while the per-litre price is lower, your overall running cost savings will be modest in the near term. However, as E85 infrastructure expands and prices potentially drop further with scale, the economics are expected to improve significantly. In addition, the environmental benefits of running on E85 remain a strong reason for eco-conscious buyers to consider making the switch.
| Fuel Type | Price Per Litre (Delhi) | Ethanol Content |
|---|---|---|
| E20 Petrol (Regular) | Rs 102.12 | 20% |
| XP95 Premium Petrol | Rs 109.24 | Minimal |
| E85 Flex Fuel | Rs 82.12 | 85% |
Hero E85 Bike Launch: Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel
Hero MotoCorp wasted no time in riding the E85 wave. The company officially launched the Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and the Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, making them India’s first mass-market E85-compliant motorcycles available for private buyers. Moreover, both bikes are compatible with ethanol blends ranging from E20 all the way up to E85, giving riders complete flexibility at the fuel pump. Furthermore, Hero developed both these bikes at its Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, showcasing the company’s strong commitment to indigenous research and development.
In terms of pricing, the Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel is priced at Rs 72,792 (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel comes in at Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Additionally, the flex fuel variants carry a premium of around Rs 6,000 over their standard counterparts, which is a very reasonable ask for the added fuel flexibility. Moreover, both bikes will go on sale in Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra from July 2026, with a nationwide rollout planned thereafter.
| Model | Price (Ex-Showroom, Delhi) | Engine | Fuel Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel | Rs 72,792 | 97.2cc Single-Cylinder | E20 to E85 |
| Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel | Rs 82,710 | 97.2cc Single-Cylinder | E20 to E85 |
Hero E85 Bike Engine and Performance: What Changes Under the Hood
At first glance, both the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel look almost identical to their standard siblings. However, the real transformation happens under the tank. Both bikes use the same trusted 97.2cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, but Hero has made several key engineering changes to make them E85-ready. Specifically, the company fitted a revised ECU calibration along with an upgraded fuel pump and a secondary fuel filter to handle the higher ethanol content in E85 fuel.
Moreover, in E85 mode, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel produces 8.6hp at 8,000rpm and 8.3Nm of torque at 6,000rpm, which is a slight improvement over the E20-compliant version. Furthermore, the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel produces 8.4bhp and 8.3Nm on E85, compared to 7.9bhp and 8.05Nm on the standard E20 version. Therefore, the flex fuel engine actually offers a small performance benefit when running on E85, which is an encouraging bonus for daily commuters. Additionally, both bikes come equipped with a digi-analogue instrument cluster, side-stand engine cut-off, and tubeless tyres as standard. Moreover, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel also gets Hero’s i3S idle stop-start system, which further helps in improving overall efficiency.
E85 Fuel Availability in India: When Will It Reach Your City
Currently, E85 fuel is available at 48 retail outlets operated by public sector oil marketing companies across India, with Delhi leading the rollout. Moreover, the government has set an aggressive expansion target of 500 E85 dispensing stations by December 2026. Furthermore, by the end of 2027, the plan is to have 5,000 operational E85 pumps across major cities in the country. Additionally, E85 dispensers carry their own distinct branding and a purple nozzle clearly marked with “E85,” making them easy to spot at fuel stations. Consequently, as the network expands, E85 will become increasingly convenient for everyday riders across India.
However, it is important to note that E85 fuel cannot be used in regular petrol vehicles. Therefore, only dedicated flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) with modified engines and upgraded fuel systems can safely run on it. In addition to the Hero bikes, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF Flex Fuel, launched at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo, is another E85-compatible two-wheeler currently available in India. Meanwhile, on the four-wheeler side, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR Flex Fuel exists but is currently available only for the commercial sector. Furthermore, Tata Motors and Toyota have also showcased flex-fuel vehicle prototypes, indicating that private car buyers will have more E85 options in the coming years.
Hero MotoCorp’s Big Flex Fuel Plan for All Its Models
Hero MotoCorp is clearly thinking big with its E85 strategy. The company has officially confirmed its plan to introduce flex-fuel versions across its entire range of two-wheelers within the next one to two years. Moreover, Hero is also working on E85 retrofit kits for existing BS6 motorcycles, which means current owners may not have to buy a brand-new bike to enjoy the benefits of E85. Furthermore, Hero has confirmed that the same flex-fuel engines can be re-engineered to be E100-compliant in the future, opening the door to running on near-pure ethanol. Additionally, the company plans to pace its flex-fuel rollout to match the growing availability of E85 fuel across the country, ensuring buyers always have access to the fuel they need. Consequently, Hero MotoCorp is positioning itself as the clear leader in India’s flex-fuel revolution.
Should You Buy a Hero E85 Flex Fuel Bike Right Now
If you live in Delhi or select parts of Maharashtra, buying a Hero flex fuel bike right now makes solid practical sense. First of all, the price premium of just Rs 6,000 over the standard model is very easy to justify. Moreover, the ability to run on both regular E20 petrol and E85 gives you complete fuel flexibility, so you are never stranded even if E85 is not yet available near you. Additionally, the slight performance boost in E85 mode is a pleasant surprise for a commuter bike. Furthermore, the long-term environmental benefits and potential cost savings as E85 infrastructure expands make it a forward-thinking purchase. However, if you are outside Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra, it may be worth waiting until E85 fuel stations become available in your region before making the switch. Meanwhile, if sustainability and cutting-edge technology matter to you, the Hero E85 flex fuel bike is undoubtedly one of the most exciting commuter motorcycles of 2026.
FAQs
What is the price of E85 fuel in India?
E85 fuel is currently priced at Rs 82.12 per litre in Delhi, which is Rs 20 cheaper than regular E20 petrol priced at Rs 102.12 per litre. Prices in other cities like Mumbai and Pune are expected to be similar but may vary slightly based on transport costs.
Which are the E85 flex fuel bikes available in India in 2026?
Currently, the Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel (Rs 82,710) and the Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel (Rs 72,792) are the main E85-compatible bikes available for private buyers in India. The Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF Flex Fuel is also E85-compatible and available at select dealerships.
What is the mileage of Hero E85 flex fuel bikes?
Hero E85 flex fuel bikes deliver roughly 25 to 35 percent lower mileage on E85 compared to E20 petrol. For example, if the standard Splendor gives around 70 kmpl on regular petrol, expect approximately 49 to 56 kmpl when running on E85 fuel.
Where is E85 fuel available in India right now?
As of June 2026, E85 fuel is available at 48 outlets across India, with the first pump inaugurated at Indian Oil’s Pusa Road outlet in New Delhi. The government plans to expand this to 500 stations by December 2026 and 5,000 stations by the end of 2027.
Can regular petrol bikes use E85 fuel?
No, regular petrol bikes cannot use E85 fuel. Only specially designed flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) with modified engines, revised ECU calibration, upgraded fuel pumps, and compatible fuel system components can safely run on E85. Using E85 in a standard petrol bike can cause serious engine damage.
SEE ALSO: E85 Fuel Vehicles in India 2026: Price, Compatible Cars & Bikes, Benefits Explained
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