India’s two-wheeler industry is in the middle of its biggest fuel shift since the switch to BS6. With the nationwide E20 mandate now in force and draft rules for E85 and E100 ethanol blends on the table, almost every major bike maker — Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, and even Royal Enfield — is racing to launch flex-fuel motorcycles. If you’re planning a bike purchase in 2026, here’s a research-backed, up-to-date guide to every flex-fuel two-wheeler already on sale and every model still in the pipeline.
What Exactly Is a Flex-Fuel Bike?
A flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) is built with an engine, fuel lines, seals, and ECU calibration that can run on any mix of petrol and ethanol — from plain petrol to E20, E85, or even E100 (pure ethanol) — without the rider having to do anything differently. Regular petrol engines can’t safely handle high ethanol blends because standard rubber seals, fuel hoses, and injectors corrode over time when exposed to ethanol’s more corrosive, water-attracting nature. Flex-fuel bikes use ethanol-resistant components specifically to prevent this.
Flex Fuel Bikes Already Available in India
Before jumping to the “upcoming” list, here’s what you can actually buy today:
1. Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel
India’s best-selling motorcycle now has an E85-compliant version. Priced at around ₹82,710 (ex-showroom, Delhi), it retains the familiar Splendor styling with fresh graphics, alloy wheels, i3S idle stop-start tech, and a digi-analogue instrument cluster. Under the skin, the same 97.2cc engine gets revised fuel lines, ethanol-resistant seals, and new ECU mapping, with a claimed 7% power and 3% torque bump on E85. Deliveries start from Delhi and select Maharashtra markets from late July 2026.
2. Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel
Hero’s entry-level commuter also gets the flex-fuel treatment at a starting price of roughly ₹72,792 (ex-showroom, Delhi) — barely a premium over the standard model. It runs on anything from E20 to E85 and comes with lime-yellow “Flex Fuel” branding to set it apart.
3. Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV
Unveiled at Auto Expo 2025, the Gixxer SF 250 FFV was India’s first mass-produced flex-fuel motorcycle. It uses the same 249cc oil-cooled single-cylinder engine as the standard bike, with ethanol-resistant fuel system components and recalibrated software for blends up to E85, priced around ₹2.36 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
Upcoming Flex Fuel Bikes in India: The Full Pipeline
Several manufacturers have either showcased prototypes or been spotted testing flex-fuel mules on public roads — a strong signal of imminent launches.
4. Royal Enfield Classic 350 Flex Fuel
Arguably the most anticipated name on this list. A Classic 350 test mule was spotted testing in Chennai with a handwritten “E85” sticker on the fuel tank, unreleased alloy wheels, and a new colour scheme not seen on the current lineup. The flex-fuel version was first unveiled at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Global Expo and is expected to retain the Classic 350’s retro design and J-series engine hardware, with only the fuel system and ECU recalibrated for E85 compatibility. Industry watchers peg an expected price around ₹2.25 lakh with a possible launch later in 2026, though Royal Enfield hasn’t confirmed an official date.
5. Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Flex Fuel (E100)
Bajaj Auto showcased an E100-capable Pulsar NS160 — meaning it can run on pure ethanol — at an India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo event. This makes Bajaj one of the few brands targeting full E100 compatibility rather than stopping at E85, though a firm launch timeline is still awaited.
6. TVS Raider 125 Flex-Fuel
TVS is widely reported to be developing a flex-fuel version of its popular Raider 125, aimed at bringing ethanol compatibility to one of its highest-volume commuter models.
7. TVS Apache RTR 160 4V FI Flex-Fuel
Alongside the Raider, TVS is also working on a flex-fuel variant of the Apache RTR 160 4V, extending FFV tech into its performance commuter range.
8. Yamaha FZ-S FI Flex-Fuel
Yamaha has already launched the Factor, an E100-compatible motorcycle, in Brazil — a bike that shares design cues with the FZ and older S-ZR models sold in India. Reports suggest a flex-fuel version of the FZ-S FI is being evaluated for the Indian market, building on Yamaha’s Brazilian ethanol experience.
9. Suzuki Avenis / Access Flex-Fuel Scooters
Beyond motorcycles, Suzuki is reportedly evaluating flex-fuel versions of its popular Avenis and Access scooters, which would mark one of the first mainstream ethanol-ready scooter launches in India.
Honourable mention: Honda CB300F Flex Fuel
Honda actually got here first, launching the CB300F Flex Fuel back in October 2024 at roughly ₹1.7 lakh. However, this variant has since been discontinued, leaving a gap that other manufacturers are now racing to fill.
Quick Comparison Table
| Bike | Status | Ethanol Compatibility | Approx. Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel | Launched | E20–E85 | ₹82,710 |
| Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel | Launched | E20–E85 | ₹72,792 |
| Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV | Launched | E20–E85 | ~₹2.36 lakh (on-road) |
| Royal Enfield Classic 350 Flex Fuel | Testing/Spied | E85 | ~₹2.25 lakh (expected) |
| Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Flex Fuel | Showcased/Prototype | E100 | TBA |
| TVS Raider 125 Flex-Fuel | In development | E85 (expected) | TBA |
| TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Flex-Fuel | In development | E85 (expected) | TBA |
| Yamaha FZ-S FI Flex-Fuel | Under evaluation | E85/E100 (expected) | TBA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E85 fuel available across India? Not yet. As of mid-2026, E85 is available only in Delhi and select parts of Maharashtra, with wider rollout expected through the rest of the year.
Can I convert my existing bike to run on E85? Some manufacturers, including Hero, have mentioned working on E85 retrofit kits for older BS6 two-wheelers, though these aren’t widely commercially available yet. Aftermarket flex-fuel conversion kits also exist internationally but aren’t officially approved for use on Indian roads.
Will flex-fuel bikes replace electric two-wheelers in India? Unlikely. Flex-fuel and EVs are being developed in parallel as complementary strategies — flex-fuel targets fossil fuel dependence and works within existing fuel infrastructure, while EVs target zero tailpipe emissions. Expect both categories to coexist and grow through the rest of the decade.
