Nitin Gadkari Backs Ethanol: Toyota To Launch 100% Flex-Fuel Innova

Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is stepping up his pitch for alternative fuels, highlighting ethanol and compressed biogas as potential substitutes for petrol. Gadkari says Toyota will launch a 100% flex-fuel Innova in October and claims the vehicle can run on ethanol while generating electricity during operation. He puts the equivalent fuel cost at around ₹25 per litre compared with petrol, according to his remarks. Gadkari also points to CBG-powered two-wheelers, citing an estimated running cost of ₹1 per kilometre versus ₹2.40 for petrol. He says ethanol-powered motorcycles from major manufacturers have already been launched in India. Gadkari argues that domestically produced fuels could reduce import dependence, lower costs and support cleaner mobility. His comments come as India continues expanding ethanol blending and alternative-fuel adoption across transport.