India has achieved nationwide availability of E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) fuel from April 1, 2026, well ahead of the original 2030 target. The government is now pushing higher ethanol blends such as E85 and E100. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has already issued a draft notification this year to formally include these fuels under vehicle regulations.
The flex-fuel market is at a very early stage in India, with no availability of mass-market flex-fuel cars on sale. Carmakers including Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Tata Motors have showcased their flex-fuel prototypes, however, their commercial launches are yet to take place.
Official Confirmation
Moving forward in this direction, Tata Motors has confirmed its plan to launch the brand’s first flex-fuel model by the end of 2026 or early 2027. In an interview with ET Auto, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles said that, “By the end of this year or early next year, we should be ready with our flex fuel also, one product at least.”
He further added that Tata Motors has already upgraded its powertrains to meet E20-blended fuel standards and is now technologically prepared to introduce flex-fuel products in the market.
Tata Punch Flex Fuel Could Be First
The Tata Punch could be the brand’s first flex-fuel vehicle in the country. For people not in the know, the carmaker showcased the Tata Punch flex fuel at the last year’s Bharat Mobility Show. The concept model was E85 compliant, which means it can run on petrol containing up to 85 percent ethanol.
The Tata Punch flex fuel features the same 1.2L, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that powers the regular Punch. However, the flex-fuel compliant version receives several mechanical modifications such as revised fuel injector systems, recalibrated ECU (engine control unit) and an updated exhaust after-treatment system to detect ethanol content and adjust to varying fuel blends.