Minister says Toyota Innova running entirely on ethanol is expected in October amid continuing debate over E20 petrol
New Delhi, Sept 2026: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said a car running entirely on ethanol could bring its fuel cost down to an equivalent of around Rs 25 per litre of petrol, as the government pushes alternative fuels amid the continuing debate over E20 petrol.
Gadkari said he had been invited to the launch of a Toyota Innova capable of running on 100 per cent ethanol in October. He said the vehicle would not require petrol and claimed that its running economics would be comparable to those of a petrol-powered vehicle using fuel priced at around Rs 25 a litre.
According to Gadkari, the vehicle would run on an electrified flex-fuel powertrain and could generate electricity while operating. He said the car would be capable of running entirely on ethanol and claimed that it could generate 60 per cent electricity during operation.
The minister’s comments come against the backdrop of the ongoing debate over India’s E20 policy, under which petrol can contain up to 20 per cent ethanol. The policy has drawn questions from sections of motorists and lawmakers over possible effects on fuel efficiency, engine performance and long-term maintenance.
Gadkari has maintained that ethanol use has not resulted in complaints from vehicles in India. The government has similarly said it has not received widespread or substantiated complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer organisations regarding E20’s impact on mileage, engine health or maintenance costs. It has cited laboratory studies and field trials examining engine durability, drivability, corrosion resistance and material compatibility.
Toyota has been developing high-ethanol flex-fuel technology for several years. In August 2023, Toyota Kirloskar Motor unveiled an Innova HyCross-based electrified flex-fuel prototype that combined a flex-fuel engine with a strong-hybrid electric powertrain. The company said the vehicle was designed to operate on ethanol blends beyond E20 and that further calibration, homologation and certification would be required.
While Gadkari has indicated an October launch, Toyota had not separately confirmed an October commercial launch date in the reports available as of September 26. Details such as pricing, specifications and retail availability have also not been announced publicly.
The proposed vehicle represents a further step in India’s efforts to expand the use of flex-fuel technology. Such vehicles can operate on varying ethanol-petrol blends, offering greater flexibility in fuel choice.
The government has been promoting ethanol as an alternative fuel with the stated objectives of reducing dependence on conventional petrol, supporting domestic agricultural feedstock and lowering emissions.
Gadkari has also argued that greater ethanol production can create additional income opportunities for farmers, particularly through the use of maize and other feedstocks.
The proposed Toyota Innova could therefore become an important test case for high-ethanol mobility in India, although its commercial launch, final specifications and actual running costs will depend on the vehicle’s official rollout and certification.
