Harshavardhan Chitale said that the entire portfolio of Hero motorcycles will have flex fuel versions within the next two years
Hero MotoCorp recently launched the flex fuel versions of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe in the Indian market. It became the first mainstream two-wheeler brand to roll out the E85 fuel compatible models of its popular motorcycles in India. Now, on the sidelines of the launch event, which was also attended by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri, Harshavardhan Chitale – CEO of Hero MotoCorp, announced that the entire portfolio of motorcycles will have flex fuel versions within the next two years.
“We are ready to bring all our models with flex-fuel technology in a matter of one or two years, depending on how the fuel linkage grows. We are ready and we are committed to make that happen,” said Harshavardhan Chitale, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hero MotoCorp. Chitale also confirmed that Hero has already developed the technology and it will soon be extended across the entire portfolio.
Hero began its E85 journey with two of its highest-selling commuter motorcycles to maximize the impact of flex fuel powered vehicles. “If you want to make an impact at scale, choose what sells the most. One out of every three motorcycles sold in India is either a Splendor or HF Deluxe,” he said. The Splendor+ flex fuel and HF Deluxe flex fuel are launched at price points of Rs 82,810 and Rs 72,792, respectively. Both the prices mentioned before are ex-showroom, Delhi.
Chitale further stated that the upcoming Hero flex fuel bikes could be engineered to run on E100 fuel, which means 100 percent blending of ethanol in petrol. However, he was quick to add that it will largely depend on the situation and subject to the expansion of ethanol fuel availability. The flex fuel version of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe can run on ethanol-blended petrol with ethanol content ranging from 20% (E20) to 85% (E85).
Both the E85 fuel compliant models have been developed at the company’s state-of-the-art R&D hub, the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. “They are truly Indian motorcycles,” he added. The Hero HF Deluxe E85 was also showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi. Both the bikes are powered by a 97.2cc petrol engine which generates top power of 8.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 8.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
Present at the launch event, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport & Highways, cleared the air on concerns related to Ethanol blended fuel, by stating that there is a misconception that ethanol is an inferior fuel. That is not true. Ethanol is a cleaner, indigenous and economically viable fuel that can play a major role in reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
